A California couple pleaded guilty today to violating federal obscenity laws for making and distributing sexually explicit films that depicted rape and murder, The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported.
Robert Zicari, Janet Romano and their company, Extreme Associates, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Gary L. Lancaster to one count each of conspiracy to distribute obscene materials.
A federal grand jury indicted the couple in August 2003. In January 2005, Lancaster dismissed the case. The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned Lancaster's decision in December 2005 and sent the case back to him.
"We are encouraged this case is coming to a close, but saddened it took more than five years for Americans to get justice," said Daniel Weiss, senior analyst for media and sexuality at Focus on the Family Action.
"We remain hopeful the legal push against obscene pornography will continue under Attorney General Eric Holder's watch. Violent and cruel sex acts perpetrated against women have no place in American society."
— Jennifer Mesko
