James Anthony Larkin June 16, — July 31, was an American publisher and journalist in Phoenix, Arizona , known for his influence in the alternative newspaper industry.
Ferrer purchased Backpage in from Lacey and Larkin in a seller-financed deal. Critics accused Backpage of promoting prostitution and sex trafficking through its "adult" section, though the ads in the section had been found by several federal and state courts to be protected by Section of the Communications Decency Act of and the First Amendment. Backpage closed its adult ad section in January on the eve of a federal hearing into its practices.
The U. Department of Justice later convened a federal grand jury to investigate the company and in April , the FBI arrested Larkin, Lacey and several others on charges of facilitating prostitution, money laundering, and conspiracy, with Ferrer turning state's evidence and promising to testify against his former employers in exchange for leniency. Larkin, Lacey, and four others pleaded not guilty to all charges in the indictment— total, [ 6 ] with each defendant being charged with different counts.
The FBI also seized Backpage, removing it permanently from the internet. Senator Mark Kelly in On September 14, Brnovich granted a defense motion for mistrial, "after deciding prosecutors had too many references to child sex trafficking in a case where no one faced such a charge," according to the Associated Press.
Brnovich scheduled a new trial for February John McCain. In December, Humetewa denied a defense motion to dismiss the case for double jeopardy, and a new trial is now on hold while the defendants appeal her ruling to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
