It was a clever scheme. If your law firm is based around going after people for downloading copyrighted pornography off the Internet, why waste time securing clients and splitting any award you might bleed out of a horny 15-year-old, when you can produce your own porn video, put it up as bait, and reap the full reward of every threatening letter sent?
It’s also, unfortunately, a scheme that will get federal law enforcement’s attention.
Prenda Law’s John Steele, the very face of copyright trolling and the best porn name in law, has pleaded guilty in the massive extortion case brought by federal authorities late last year. This, of course, makes him a cinch to star in the next installment in the Conjugal Nymphs Go Wild franchise, which will be illegally available for download sometime this month. Note, this is a title that I completely made up, but has about a one in five chance of being real.
Inside The Minds Working At US Midsize Law Firms: 2025 Priorities Revealed
Midsize firms want smarter tech, not more. Our 2025 industry report shows how the right tools—and strategy—can drive growth, efficiency, and better client outcomes.
The U.S. Justice Department announced Monday that John L. Steele, who currently resides in Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
In entering his plea, the 45-year-old Steele admitted that between 2011 and 2014 he and Paul Hansmeier threatened copyright lawsuits against individuals who supposedly downloaded pornography from file-sharing websites. Prosecutors claim they obtained more than $6 million through the threats.
Thus ends Prenda Law’s wild turn as the legal industry’s Jackie Treehorn. After Star Trek benchslaps, jail threats, and testimonial shenanigans, Steele is facing the music.
Specifically, Boom Chicka Wow Wow.
Former Chicago lawyer pleads guilty to pornography download extortion [Associated Press / Pioneer Press]
Earlier: Prenda Boldly Benchslapped Where No One Has Gone Before
Prenda Law’s Plight: Porn Copyright Lawyers Plead The Fifth When Asked About Dirty Dealings
Judge Threatens Alleged Copyright Troll With Jail Over Porn Complaints
Suing Hundreds of Anonymous People Will Not Make You Popular
Joe Patrice is an editor at Above the Law and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. Feel free to email any tips, questions, or comments. Follow him on Twitter if you’re interested in law, politics, and a healthy dose of college sports news.