[gonzo]

Originally Posted by UncutBucksMike

Thanks Toby for the heads up. There were a lot of stories flying around but i hadn't seen this one. It's actually pretty ridiculous how some of the BS these cops say is perpetuated as fact. The police showed up and served the warrant and made us come outside so that their photographer friend from the newspaper could get a good photo of the "pornographers getting raided". I was told we could remain or leave at our choice. I had Jen take the kids and get them out of this fiasco. Why the Ft Michell police deemed it necessary to send 5 police in bulletproof vests to serve a search warrant on a zoning violation is beyond me. Was the house immaculate, No, but dirty in every room with bugs, I think not. Was there damage to a ceiling, yes and it hand been there since we moved in. It was water damage to a soffit in the dining room (about a 2ft by 2ft area) caused by a previous leak that the complex had just managed to resolve in the pervious week. If the conditions were as terrible as stated, and they had been conducting a 2 month investigation then why didn't they remove the children from the start, because the raid was only meant to run the "porno people" out of town.

Quite honestly, I didn't do my homework about local zoning laws, and probably was in violation (I can't say for sure because the wording of the ordinance is really directed toward retail establishments). After the raid and their level of zealousness and knowing the media would be arriving shortly and now knowing that I could not continue to run the website while there, I first got the kids out and then went back to gather up essential necessities (yes we did leave a lot behind). I was also concerned by the fact that the former member who had started all this still had that address and was obviously crazy enough to do anything to damage Jen. A number of cameras, computers, documents and other gear were taken with no idea when or if they will be returned. After leaving the area and staying with family and friends since, we first tried to sell the site to insulate us from 2257 requirements and ownership issues regarding other zoning ordinances. We have since began selling off the content on a semi-exclusive basis so that we could get resettled and get new equipment. My first priority is that my family is safe, but my second is that these anti-porn zealots will not shut the site down!

After reviewing zoning ordinances in a number of small localities, I would advise that everyone double check their local ordinances. I have found similar wording in a number of small towns and villages that I have investigated, and in fact found other programs that are potentially in violation (and have warned them directly).

Thanks for taking the time to read my side of the situation.

Mike

Mike thank you for dropping by with your side of the story. I know from the past that you guys have really been hassled for persuing this business.

What are your future plans?