“The jury’s verdict has unmasked Daedone and Cherwitz for who they truly are: grifters who preyed on vulnerable victims by making empty promises of sexual empowerment and wellness,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace in a statement.
Brooklyn US Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr called the duo “grifters who preyed on vulnerable victims, by making empty promises of sexual empowerment and wellness only to manipulate them into performing labor and services” for their benefit.
Inside the Cult-Like World of One Taste
Founded by Daedone in 2004, One Taste operated out of San Francisco, with additional locations in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Denver, Austin, and London.
Operation Rising Lion: Israel Strikes Iran in Largest Attack Since the 1980s Iran–Iraq War
It became widely known for promoting a practice called “orgasmic meditation,” which involved guided genital stimulation sessions that were packaged as therapeutic.
But beneath the surface, federal prosecutors said, was a deeply manipulative, coercive, and abusive operation. Between 2006 and 2018, Daedone and Cherwitz recruited individuals with past trauma. They promised to heal them while subjecting them to emotional abuse, surveillance, and sexual exploitation.
Manipulation and Abuse for Profit
Courses at One Taste ranged from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars. Victims were pressured to take on debt to attend classes and were monitored extensively.
