Dance Number Created by John Stagliano for the 2008 AVN Awards Show:

BUTTMAN MAG EDITORIAL: (As will appear in Buttman Magazine Vol. 11 No. 3)

THE UNITED STATES VS JOHN STAGLIANO

CRIMINAL NUMBER: 08-093

CHARGE: OBSCENITY

ARRAINGED: 4/21/08

Wow, I never thought I would reach this status in the world. I want to thanks the Justice Department for choosing me for this prosecution, I shall endeavor to not disappoint them.

There is war in America, on the American people. It takes the form of trying to kill pleasure. Perverse as this seems, the government, acting on political pressure from organized forces of evil (real evil, not Evil Empire, fun evil) in this country have made it their mission to see to it that people do not enjoy themselves too much, especially in sexual ways. This thing about ourselves, our sexuality, is something to be proscribed and controlled.

It is a fundamental thing about living, do I go for things that are expansive? That is, do I wish to extend my experience of this world? Or do I seek a narrow range of life, a range that does not include experimentation? They say this journey to enjoying your sexuality will addict you, it will screw up your life. That is for each of you to consider, but do you think someone should be able to control you, to repress you?

I have been called by our country to defend the rights of those who dare to love their lives here on earth, and I so love my life, and my freedom. They are trying to take that precious freedom away from me, and from you.

It is fitting that this issue is the one where I renew my own artistic impressions of ass. I have the stills here from the three scenes of my new release Buttman‘s Beautiful Brazilian Ass. I have been away for awhile from making Buttman movies. The pictures in this magazine have been from my other directors at the Evil Empire. But I recently went to Brazil, to make a Buttman movie for the first time in 3 years, just before I was indicted by the feds. So as a tribute to all those who would take our ass art away I’m glad I can present what I think is my best work, my new stuff, on a journey back to what I love.
-John Stagliano

I found out about the indictment from a close personal friend, Steve Javors at XBiz. On April 8, 2008, I was at dinner with John and some friends of our family. He had texted me to ask how we were doing, since he had just seen over PR Newswire.com that John had been charged. John and I had no idea what he was talking about, so I called him.

Within minutes, he had filled me in and emailed me the press release from the Justice Department and posted this article - John Stagliano, Evil Angel Charged With 7 Obscenity Violations - the first one about this obscenity case.

We phoned our lawyer, Allan Gelbard, and our general manager, Chris Norman, to fill them in. Noone from the company had been notified of this before the Justice Department sent out their press release.

Shortly thereafter, John received a phone call from Dan Miller at AVN.com, and this article was posted - John Stagliano, Evil Angel Indicted On Federal Obscenity Charges.

That night, John and I didn’t get a whole lot of sleep.

Here are other articles and media coverage of the case since that night:
-Karen Stagliano

Stagliano Indictment Raises Unique Questions Regarding Minors’ Internet Access - Mark Kernes, AVN.com. April 9, 2008.

Stagliano’s Lawyer Addresses Elements of Obscenity Case - Steve Javors, XBiz.com. April 9, 2008.

Vegas producer Stagliano charged with obscenity - Richard Abowitz, LATimes.com. April 9, 2008.

Feds hand eight-count obscenity charge to porn producer - Xeni Jardin, BoingBoing.net. April 10, 2008.

Feds Charge Porn Producer With Selling Adult Content to Adults - Kevin Poulsen, Wired.com. April 10, 2008.

John Stagliano to Be Arraigned April 21 - Steve Javors, XBiz.com. April 11, 2008.

Arraignment Date Set For Stagliano - Mark Kernes, AVN.com. April 11, 2008.

Evil Angel Obscenity Indictment Update - Prof. Marc J. Randazza, The Legal Satyricon. April 11, 2008.

The New War on Porn - Mary M, LA CityZine.com. April 14, 2008.

Antiporn Groups: Feds Should Indict Softer Content - Q Boyer, XBiz.com. April 15, 2008.

Feds Target John Stagliano - Howard Gensler, Philadelphia Daily News. April 10, 2008.

From XBiz.com (click here to read original article):
by Steve Javors
April 11, 2008

VAN NUYS, Calif. — Evil Angel owner John Stagliano will be arraigned April 21 in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. before Judge Richard J. Leon. Stagliano told XBIZ that he would plead not guilty on all charges.
XBIZ broke the story Tuesday of the Justice Department indicting Stagliano, Evil Angel Productions and John Stagliano Inc. with seven counts of operating “an obscenity distribution business and related offenses.” The charges stem from the mail and Internet distribution of two movies, plus a web trailer.

The movies named in the indictment are “Milk Nymphos” directed by Jay Sin, “Storm Squirters 2″ directed by Joey Silvera and a trailer from Belladonna’s “Fetish Fanatic 5.”

Representing Stagliano at his arraignment will be Allan Gelbard, who previously won a multimillion-dollar judgment for Evil Angel in a piracy case against Canadian distributor Kaytel. In addition to Gelbard, it’s likely that First Amendment attorney Lou Sirkin, assisted by Jennifer Kinsley, will be on the defense team.

XBIZ also has learned that Stagliano is looking to add a third lead attorney to his team and will be meeting with a Washington, D.C.-based lawyer next week.

Evil Angel publicist Karen Stagliano also announced that a legal defense fund would be set up in conjunction with the Free Speech Coalition. The creation of the fund was spurred by the outpouring of support Stagliano has received.

Prominent libertarian organization the Reason Foundation (aligned with Reason magazine) has reached out to Stagliano to offer assistance. A supporter of libertarian causes, Stagliano has supported the foundation for more than 30 years.

“The support from fans and people within the adult entertainment community has been tremendous,” Karen Stagliano told XBIZ. “Many have asked us how they could help, not only to support John and our company, but to help protect free speech. It’s touching that so many want to help in whatever way they can.”

Karen Stagliano said that any leftover contributions would go to FSC or another free speech organization.

A website for the defense fund is expected to go live on Monday. For more information contact karen@evilangel.com.

On April 8th, an indictment against John Stagliano, John Stagliano Inc and Evil Angel Productions was filed in Federal District Court in the District of Columbia. The indictment includes 7 counts of obscenity and 1 count seeking forfeiture of certain assets from the defendants.

You can view the indictment on XBiz.com’s website by clicking here.