Obscenity Prosecution Task Force
Encyclopedia
The Obscenity Prosecution Task Force (OPTF) was an organization created in 2005 by the United States Department of Justice
. The OPTF's job was to investigate and prosecute producers and distributors of hardcore pornography
that meets the test for obscenity
, as defined by the Supreme Court of the United States
. The group was led by U.S. Attorney Brent Ward.
The Bush administration formed the task force to investigate hardcore pornography at the urging of social conservative groups. Notable cases were brought against Joseph R. Francis' Mantra Films, Inc.
(Girls Gone Wild
), as well as producers Ira Isaacs
and Max Hardcore
.
Eric Holder
, Barack Obama
's appointee for United States Attorney General
, shut down the task force in spring 2011, folding it into the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section
.
United States Department of Justice
The United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
. The OPTF's job was to investigate and prosecute producers and distributors of hardcore pornography
Hardcore pornography
Hardcore pornography is a form of pornography that features explicit sexual acts. The term was coined in the second half of the 20th century to distinguish it from softcore pornography. It usually takes the form of photographs, often displayed in magazines or on the Internet, or films. It can also...
that meets the test for obscenity
Obscenity
An obscenity is any statement or act which strongly offends the prevalent morality of the time, is a profanity, or is otherwise taboo, indecent, abhorrent, or disgusting, or is especially inauspicious...
, as defined by the Supreme Court of the United States
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
. The group was led by U.S. Attorney Brent Ward.
The Bush administration formed the task force to investigate hardcore pornography at the urging of social conservative groups. Notable cases were brought against Joseph R. Francis' Mantra Films, Inc.
Mantra Films, Inc.
Mantra Films Inc., or Mantra Entertainment, is a softcore pornography production company created by Joe Francis, chiefly for the production and distribution of the vast United States-based Girls Gone Wild and Guys Gone Wild enterprises that he leads...
(Girls Gone Wild
Girls Gone Wild
The Girls Gone Wild franchise, created by Joe Francis, is a video series by the production company Mantra Films, Inc., which is headquartered in Santa Monica, California.-Content:...
), as well as producers Ira Isaacs
Ira Isaacs
Ira Isaacs is an American film director and self-described "shock artist."-Life and career:Isaacs was born in The South Bronx and attended Taft High School....
and Max Hardcore
Max Hardcore
Max Hardcore is a male pornographic actor, producer and director, who rose to prominence in 1992 with the film series Anal Adventures of Max Hardcore. His work has been classified as gonzo pornography and described as "testing the limits of acceptability"...
.
Eric Holder
Eric Holder
Eric Himpton Holder, Jr. is the 82nd and current Attorney General of the United States and the first African American to hold the position, serving under President Barack Obama....
, Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
's appointee for United States Attorney General
United States Attorney General
The United States Attorney General is the head of the United States Department of Justice concerned with legal affairs and is the chief law enforcement officer of the United States government. The attorney general is considered to be the chief lawyer of the U.S. government...
, shut down the task force in spring 2011, folding it into the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section
Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section
The Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section is a section of the Criminal Division of the United States Department of Justice in charge of protecting the welfare of America's children and communities by enforcing federal criminal statutes relating to the exploitation of children and obscenity...
.