[cowboylowrez]

I'm pretty sure it was the online prostitution that started this, and according to what I can find, there are still prostitution related charges ahead, as well as convictions (and guilty pleas) by others. Remember, it was the nature of the ads that caused him to have to use bitcoin in the first place. Sort of like Capone getting jail on tax evasion lol

They did indeed charge him with the prostitution thing from what I've read, its just in the one trial the jury deadlocked on those counts. Whats more sus to me however is allegations that backpage "managers took an active role in editing ads in the adult section," this is not the way to even appear innocent of the prostitution charges.

I absolutely agree that backpage was more of an asset against trafficking, it makes sense that if you want to fight trafficking, backpage seemed at a superficial level to be able to help here, and obviously the sex business will just move elsewhere and with probably less visability. Its not like prostitution is going to stop, but I'm guessing it can be at least less of a nuisance. I'm certainly not the guy to campaign for a version of the morality police.

I'm just disagreeing with the "false prosecution" characterization thats all, I think it was a legit application of the law, although I'd rather see a more liberal handling of consenting sex between adults.