I think this have been missed because of the election but as Nov 16, 2016 Judge Drops Pimping Charges Against Backpage.com CEO.
THIS IS A GREAT NEWS For all companion escort website operators.
Judge Drops Pimping Charges Against Backpage.com CEO | CW33 NewsFix
DALLAS -- The CEO of the Dallas based adult website Backpage.com may have just escaped through the legal backdoor.
On Wednesday, a California judge threw out pimping charges against Carl Ferrer and two other former owners of the site.
Back in October, state agents raided Backpage?s Dallas headquarters and arrested Ferrer based on allegations that adults and children had been forced into sex-trafficking via escort ads posted on the site. Prosecutors argued that the site, which has been described as an online brothel, generated millions of dollars off the illegal sex trade.
Those who manage the website have said it reports any potential trafficking cases to law enforcement.
Ultimately the owners of the website were shielded by the federal communications decency act which grants immunity to website operators for content posted by users. The Sacramento County judge, therefore, threw out the charges explaining that it was an issue for congress to revisit.
Backpage?s lawyer declined to comment outside of saying that she and her clients are optimistic.