Former adult director/performer Kid Vegas (a.k.a. Scott Austin) is being detained in a Nevada prison, eight hours north of Las Vegas, and is seeking donations for a legal defense fund.
Austin made his debut in adult in 1999, performing in approximately 27 videos and directing about 15 titles through 2003. He has been detained for the past 10 months, and is awaiting trial in June on several charges, including sexual assault.
A November 2005 report in the Las Vegas Sun said that the charges against Austin stem from a party that he threw in 2004 at the Beatty, Nev., home of his then-girlfriend, a 19-year-old who had appeared with him in one of his adult videos. The two had traveled to the girl's hometown for its centennial celebration and the high school's homecoming, according to the story.
The report went on to say that a 16-year-old girl who attended the party claimed Austin followed her into the bathroom, locked the door and pressed himself against her while fondling her against her will, according to court transcripts from Austin's preliminary hearing.
Austin also allegedly sexually assaulted his girlfriend when he touched her intimately while the two were naked in bed after the party even though she told him she wasn't in the mood for sex. After three refusals, the report continued, the woman said that Austin rolled over and went to sleep.
The Las Vegas Sun also reported that last July, Austin flew to Toronto and was arrested by Canadian immigration authorities on the outstanding warrant from Nevada. Austin went to Canada because he did not think he would receive a fair trial in the ultra-conservative Nye County. Ironically, Nye County is also ripe with legal brothels.
Canada offers asylum to individuals who may face cruel and unusual punishment or torture in their home countries. Austin applied, but was not found to meet the requirements, said Patrizia Giolti, a Canada Border Services Agency spokeswoman.
But Austin told the newspaper he does need protection. "I came here seeking protection from Canada because I didn't do anything," Austin said in a telephone interview from the Niagara Detention Centre in November. "Those rednecks are trying to hang me because they don't like what I do for a living."
Austin’s sister Christine backs him, explaining that the legal system in Nevada, and moreover in Tonapah, is extremely conservative, and if found guilty her brother could serve up to three consecutive life sentences. She maintains Austin's innocence, and feels it’s important to have enough money to provide him with a private attorney, rather than the public defender he has been assigned.
“I want to see my brother again, and with people’s help we can provide him with a competent attorney that can defend him against these false charges,” Christine told AVN.com.
Both Austin's sister and mother, his most loyal defenders, point to the many connections between people involved in the case as evidence that Austin would not get an unbiased hearing in Beatty, which has a population of 981.
"Everybody knows everybody," Austin’s mother told the Las Vegas Sun. "Scott doesn't have a chance of getting a fair trial there."
According to published reports, two judges withdrew from the case because they knew or were related to the alleged victims. Two public defenders also begged off representing Austin because they were acquainted with his girlfriend's family.
In addition to the town's insularity, Beatty's conservatism stacked the deck against him, Austin said.
"It's a little town entrenched in Christian fundamentalist values," Austin told the Sun. "They look at me and think, 'He put one of our daughters in a porno.'"
Christine said that her brother has asked for a change of venue from all of his attorneys, but they have ignored his pleas. She went on to say that Austin’s defense, including his present attorney, told her that Austin’s history in the adult industry “hurts his reputation substantially.” Austin’s current attorney, Chet Kafchinski, was not available for comment at press time.
Austin gained popularity in 2000 and 2001 when he released Kid Vegas: Whoremaster and Kid Vegas: Trenchcoat Pornographer, both for Legend. He has also worked for Hustler, Heatwave, Dane and most recently Digital Playground, in Jack's Playground 5 in 2003. Austin sometimes performed under the stage name Johnny Vicious.
To donate to the Scott Austin Defense Fund, send check or money order to:
P.O. Box 147
Glencoe, CA 95232-0147.
To write Scott personally, mail to:
Mr. Scott Austin/B-Pod
c/o N.C.D.C., P.O. Box 831
Tonopah, NV 89049
(Please be advised that all mail is read and copied, so refrain from any discriminating comments).
