Description: Phoenix, Arizona criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with conspiracy, travel acts to facilitate prosecution, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Backpage executives, Michael Lacey, Scott Spear and John "Jed" Brunst, were accused of conspiring to use the website to facilitate prostitution.

(1)
18:371 - Conspiracy
(1s)
18:1952(a)(3)(A) and (b)(1)(i) Travel Act Facilitate Prostitution
(2-51)
18:1952(a)(3)(A) - Travel Act - Facilitate Prostitution
(2s-4s)
18:1952(a)(3)(A) - Travel Act - Facilitate Prostitution
(5s)
18:1952(a)(3)(A) - Travel Act - Facilitate Prostitution
(6s-51s)
18:1956(h) Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering
(52)
18:1956(h) - Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering
(52s)
18:1956(a)(1)(B)(i) Concealment Money Laundering
(53-62)
18:1956(a)(1)(B)(i) - Concealment Money Laundering
(53s-62s)
18:1956(a)(2)(A) International Promotional Money Laundering
(63-68)
18:1956(a)(2)(A) - International Promotional Money Laundering
(63s-68s)
18:1957(a) Transactional Money Laundering
(69-70)
18:1957(a) - Transactional Money Laundering
(69s-70s)
18:1957(a) Transactional Money Laundering
(81)
18:1957(a) - Transactional Money Laundering
(81s)
18:1957(a) Transactional Money Laundering
(83-84)
18:1957(a) - Transactional Money Laundering
(83s-84s)
18:1957(a) Transactional Money Laundering
(86)
18:1957(a) - Transactional Money Laundering
(86s)
18:1957(a) Transactional Money Laundering
(88-92)
18:1957(a) - Transactional Money Laundering
(88s-92s)
18:1957(a) - Transactional Money Laundering
(94s-99s)
18:1956(a)(2)(B)(i) - International Concealment Money Laundering
(100s)

Outcome: 11/16/2023 1973 NOTICE re Forfeiture Election by USA as to Michael Lacey, James Larkin, Scott Spear, John Brunst, Dan Hyer, Andrew Padilla, Joye Vaught. (Boyle, Daniel) (Entered: 11/16/2023)
11/16/2023 1975 NOTICE to Court by USA as to Michael Lacey, James Larkin, Scott Spear, John Brunst, Dan Hyer, Andrew Padilla, Joye Vaught. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit Exhibit B)(Perlmeter, Margaret) (Entered: 11/16/2023)
11/16/2023 1977 AMENDED by Doc. 1981 MINUTE ENTRY for proceedings held before Judge Diane J Humetewa: Jury Trial (Day 34) completed as to Michael Lacey, Scott Spear, John Brunst, Andrew Padilla, Joye Vaught on 11/16/2023. Verdict reached as set forth in open court. IT IS ORDERED that a Judgment of Acquittal shall be entered as to Defendants Andrew Padilla (6) and Joye Vaught (7). IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants shall have until November 29, 2023 to supplement their Oral Rule 29 Motion. Government shall file its Response by December 8, 2023. The Court will inform Defendants if a Reply is necessary. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED extending the deadline by which the Government shall file its Response to Defendants' Motion (Doc. 1972 ) to and including November 22, 2023. Defendants' Reply if any, is due seven (7) days thereafter. IT IS ORDERED that any party seeking to Respond to either Motion (Doc. 1948 or 1957 ) shall do so no later than November 19, 2023. Any replies shall be filed by November 21, 2023. (Court Reporter Hilda Lopez.) See attached PDF for complete details. Hearing held 11:02 AM to 5:16 PM.(LFIG) Modified on 11/17/2023 (LFIG). (Entered: 11/17/2023)
11/16/2023 1978 JURY VERDICT as to Michael Lacey, Scott Spear, John Brunst, Andrew Padilla, Joye Vaught. (LFIG) (Entered: 11/17/2023)
11/16/2023 1981 AMENDED MINUTE ENTRY for proceedings held before Judge Diane J Humetewa (Amending Doc. 1977 ): Jury Trial (Day 34) completed as to Michael Lacey, Scott Spear, John Brunst, Andrew Padilla, Joye Vaught on 11/16/2023. Verdict reached as set forth in open court. IT IS ORDERED that a Judgment of Acquittal shall be entered as to Defendants Andrew Padilla (6) and Joye Vaught (7). IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants shall have until November 29, 2023 to supplement their Oral Rule 29 Motion. Government shall file its Response by December 8, 2023. The Court will inform Defendants if a Reply is necessary. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED extending the deadline by which the Government shall file its Response to Defendants' Motion (Doc. 1972 ) to and including November 22, 2023. Defendants' Reply if any, is due seven (7) days thereafter. IT IS ORDERED that any party seeking to Respond to either Motion (Doc. 1948 or 1957 ) shall do so no later than November 19, 2023. Any replies shall be filed by November 21, 2023. (Court Reporter Hilda Lopez.) See attached PDF for complete details. Hearing held 11:02 AM to 5:16 PM.(LFIG)

Reason for Amendment: Minute Entry amended to correct paragraph four. (Court Reporter Hilda Lopez.) Hearing held 11:02 AM to 5:16 PM.(LFIG) (Entered: 11/17/2023)

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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