SAN DIEGO — GirlsDoPorn’s former owner Michael Pratt made his first appearance in federal court Tuesday following his extradition from Spain Monday night, according to a statement released by the Department of Justice
As XBIZ reported, Pratt was captured in Madrid in December 2022 after having been one of the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives” since 2021, and been on the lam since leaving the U.S. in 2019.
Pratt’s capture was requested by U.S. authorities through an Interpol Red Notice in a 19-count indictment for “sex trafficking, production of child pornography, sex trafficking of a minor, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments in connection with the operation of the GirlsDoPorn adult website.”
FBI San Diego Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy said Pratt’s arrest and extradition “reflects a great collaboration among multiple agencies, both in the United States and Spain who were dedicated to seeking justice for the young women he allegedly victimized. This large, internationally coordinated effort could not have been successful without support from our law enforcement partners in Spain, the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Department of Justice, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”
At Tuesday’s hearing, Pratt was arraigned and entered a not-guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel E. Butcher, the DoJ reported.
A detention hearing is scheduled for March 21 at 3 p.m. before Judge Butcher, followed by a motion hearing/trial setting on April 19 at 1:30 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino.
For XBIZ’s ongoing coverage of the GDP case, click here.