The new 2257 regulations haven’t gone into effect yet, but the tale of one Syracuse resident is a cautionary one about what can happen if adult content producers don’t keep proper records.
According to U.S. Attorney Glenn T. Suddaby, author Ralph G. Marshall, 78, a noted author and restaurateur, was sentenced to three years in federal prison for being unable to prove that three females he portrayed in sexually explicit photographs were of legal age. Marshall also will pay a $25,000 fine.
The pictures were taken between August 2002 and January 2004, after five models responded to a newspaper ad Marshall placed. A film-processing company in Maryland notified the U.S. Postal Inspection Service after noticing one of the models looked very young.
Marshall claims the five models – whose were between 13 and 17 at the time of the photo shoots – lied to him about their ages, although he admitted he did not take the proper steps to confirm their claims. Additionally, he did not maintain any records or documentation about them whatsoever.
As part of a plea, Marshall admitted guilt for his infractions and was given the minimum sentence of three years. The fine could have been as high as $250,000, but was reduced to 10 percent of that as part of the plea. Additionally, Marshall faces three years of supervision upon his release from prison.
Marshall is the author of several books that document his encounters with Ernest Hemingway, his travels along the frontier of Brazil, and operating a trendy New York restaurant. Among the titles, Fish Tales and Other Stories to Get Hooked By, Memories of the Mato Grosso, When Does the Fun Start? and Never Stop Dancing are the most recognized. Additionally, he has authored Gardenias and Stars, Small Potatoes, and the children’s book Aesop’s Fables in Songs.
