SAN DIEGO (AP) — The founder of a California-based porn empire that recruited women with false modeling offers pleaded guilty to sex trafficking charges in a federal court, authorities said.
Michael James Pratt pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in San Diego, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. He faces a possible life sentence when he is sentenced Sept. 25.
Pratt, 42, was on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list when he was arrested in Madrid in 2022, three years after he fled while facing sex trafficking charges.
Federal prosecutors said Pratt and his co-defendants used force, fraud and coercion to recruit hundreds of women, many of whom were in their late teens, for their adult videos.
A New Zealand native, he founded the now-defunct GirlsDoPorn website in San Diego. In 2019, he and others were charged in San Diego with sex crimes after being targeted in a civil lawsuit by 22 women who claimed they were victimized by fraud and breach of contract.
The women said they were plied with alcohol and marijuana before being rushed through signing a contract, which they were not allowed to read. Some said they were sexually assaulted and held in hotel rooms unwillingly until adult filming had ended.
A judge in 2020 found in favor of the women and handed down a $12.7 million judgment against Pratt, Matthew Isaac Wolfe and adult producer and performer Ruben Andre Garcia.
Wolfe, who handled day-to-day operations, finances, marketing and filming for the website, pleaded guilty in 2022 to a single federal count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. He was sentenced last year to 14 years in federal prison.
The other co-defendants also pleaded guilty. Garcia was sentenced to 20 years in prison and cameraman Theodore Gyi received a four-year sentence.
Valorie Moser, a former bookkeeper for the website, also pleaded guilty last year. She's scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 12.
FILE - This image made available by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation shows three photos of Michael James Pratt, the founder of a California-based porn empire that coerced young women into filming adult videos. (FBI via AP, File)
PHOENIX (AP) — Royce O'Neale scored 19 points, Devin Booker added 17 and the Phoenix Suns breezed to a 112-93 victory over the Washington Wizards on Sunday night.
Phoenix has won 10 of its last 13 games.
The Suns led 96-65 going into the fourth quarter after Dillon Brooks scored 11 points in the third, hitting three 3-pointers. The sloppy Wizards shot just 6 of 21 (28.6%) in the third and had seven turnovers.
The Suns improved to 14-5 at home and were able to sit their starters for the entire fourth quarter. O'Neale made 5 of 9 shots from 3-point range while Brooks finished with 16 points and made four threes. Booker added eight assists.
The Phoenix backups were productive — Grayson Allen had 12 points, Oso Ighodaro added 10 and Ryan Dunn had nine.
Washington's Alex Sarr finished with 19 points and 15 rebounds, while rookie Tre Johnson also had 19 points. The Wizards — who had 23 turnovers — have lost three straight after their best stretch of the season, winning five of seven.
Washington shot just 39.5% from the field, including 23.3% on 3s.
The Suns led by 17 in the second quarter before settling for a 65-50 halftime advantage. Booker led the Suns with 13 points before the break while Sarr had 13 for the Wizards.
Wizards: At Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.
Suns: At Miami on Tuesday night.
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Washington Wizards head coach Brian Keefe shouts instructions to his players during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Phoenix Suns forwards Royce O'Neale (00) and Oso Ighodaro defend against Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George (18) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen (8) gets off a shot against Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott shouts instructions to his players during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr battle for a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
