Paul F. Little, a Hollywood director and producer also known as "Max Hardcore," and MaxWorld Entertainment Inc. have been indicted on federal obscenity charges, according to the Department of Justice.
The 10-count indictment returned May 17 in Tampa charges Little, 50, and MaxWorld with five counts of transporting obscene matter by use of an interactive computer service and five counts of mailing obscene matter, The Law News Wire reported.
The indictment alleges that Little, through MaxWorld, distributed films that met the U.S. Supreme Court’s standards for obscenity through the U.S. mail to an address located in the Middle District of Florida. The defendants are also charged with transmitting five obscene video clips through their Web site.
"This is a welcome development in the fight against hardcore pornography," said Daniel Weiss, senior analyst for media and sexuality at Focus on the Family Action. "Max Hardcore is well known in the industry and has been arrested for obscenity violations in the past. The case is also significant because it involves online material, marking the Justice Department's first foray into Internet porn crimes. We can only hope this is the first of dozens, if not hundreds, of indictments against hardcore pornographers."
Weiss added that he hoped the DOJ would also begin to prosecute mainstream pornography, rather than only pursuing the most extreme material.
