San Diego Man Sentenced for Sex Trafficking in Adult Entertainment Case
In a significant development, Michael James Pratt, known for running a California-based pornographic enterprise, has been sentenced to 27 years in federal prison. This sentence comes after Pratt pleaded guilty to charges related to sex trafficking in a federal court in San Diego.
Federal prosecutors detailed that Pratt and his accomplices utilized deception and coercion to lure hundreds of women, many in their late teens, into filming adult videos. U.S. District Judge Janis Sammartino delivered the sentence, which includes one charge of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, as well as a conspiracy charge associated with those same crimes.
Pratt was atop the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list prior to his arrest in Madrid in 2022. He had evaded capture for three years while facing serious sex trafficking allegations. Originally from New Zealand, Pratt established the now-closed GirlsDoPorn website in San Diego. In 2019, he and his associates were charged with sex crimes after multiple women accused them of fraud and breach of contract in a civil lawsuit, claiming they had been misled and victimized.
The court heard troubling accounts of how these women were often intoxicated with alcohol and drugs before being pressured to sign contracts they couldn’t read. Some reported being sexually assaulted and confined in hotel rooms against their will until filming was completed.
In a previous ruling, a judge awarded $12.7 million in favor of the women against Pratt and his co-defendants, which included Matthew Isaac Wolfe and adult industry figure Ruben Andre Garcia. Wolfe, responsible for managing operations and finances for the site, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and received a 14-year prison sentence. Garcia was sentenced to 20 years, while another collaborator, cameraman Theodore Gyi, received a four-year term.
This case emphasizes the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals from exploitation and holding those responsible accountable for their actions.
