The defendants and their conspirators obtained more than $500 million from operating an online forum that facilitated the sexual exploitation of countless victims, said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri.
Lacey was convicted on a single count of international concealment money laundering in November 2023 but was acquitted of 50 other charges related to prostitution facilitation and money laundering due to insufficient evidence.
The case is one of many that Backpage has faced regarding sexual exploitation over the last decade, having shuttered its 'Adult Services' ads section in 2017.
Both Lacey and Brunst are planning to appeal the sentencing, underscoring their belief that the legal proceedings were unjust and that the acquittals on multiple charges reflect gaps in the evidence against them.
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