SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – The operators of an international website that advertises escort services say they’ll challenge charges of trafficking prostitutes and pimping on First Amendment grounds.
Attorneys for the three men told reporters Wednesday that the Backpage.com CEO and two others will challenge the charges next month.
The three men made a brief appearance Wednesday afternoon in Sacramento County Court, appearing in orange jail uniforms.
Carl Ferrer, the 55-year-old CEO of Backpage.com, is charged with pimping a minor, pimping, and conspiracy to commit pimping, while 68-year-old Michael Lacey and 67-year-old James Larkin are charged with conspiracy to commit pimping.
California Attorney General Kamala Harris says Lacey and Larkin are the website’s controlling shareholders.
Pimping includes making money from prostitutes or soliciting customers for prostitution.
A bail hearing was set for Thursday.
Copyright 2016. Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
