Adult DVD Empire Agrees to $75,000 Plea Deal, Probation

PITTSBURGH — A federal judge today fined Right Ascension $75,000 and placed the company on two years’ probation for mailing obscene material.

Owner and CEO of Right Ascension John Darcangelo agreed to have his company plead guilty to the charge.

Federal prosecutors filed the charges July 22 at U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh, charging that the company, which operates AdultDVDEmpire.com, mailed four DVDs containing obscene material to an Erie post office box in May 2007.

Right Ascension’s attorney, Gary Zimmerman told the court that Right Ascension employs 72 people and screens each movie it receives from the studios and refuses to ship any DVDs it deems obscene.

Zimmerman told the court that these particular movies slipped through the company’s guidelines, but that Right Ascension has since strengthened its guidelines and expanded training for its screeners to make sure other obscene material doesn’t get distributed by the company.

Pamela Satterfield, an attorney with the Justice Department's Obscenity Task Force, agreed with the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.

XBIZ spoke with Zimmerman who wouldn’t comment further on the case.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Athena Heart Stars in Latest From TeamSkeet

Athena Heart stars with Jason Sarcinelli, Axel Haze, and Nick Strokes in the latest release from TeamSkeet.

Violet Myers, Valentina Nappi Star in Latest From Brazzers

2025 XMAs Premium Social Creator of the Year Violet Myers stars with Valentina Nappi and Ricky Johnson in the latest release from Brazzers, titled “V and V Share a Big D.”

AI Erotic Storytelling Platform 'AIEroticSmut' Launches

AIEroticSmut.com, a DIY erotic storytelling platform, has officially launched.

Angela White Stars in New Interactive Scene From Brazzers

Multi-XMAs winner Angela White stars with reigning and two-time XMAs Europas Male Performer of the Year Christian Clay in a new interactive release from Brazzers, titled “Taking Angela Back To Your Place.”

Marvin Love Directs 'Rich and Horny Weirdos' for Brazzers

Brazzers has released a new scene directed by Marvin Love, titled “Rich and Horny Weirdos.”

Julia James, Sage Hunter Topline 'Lesbian Sister In-Laws' Sequel

Julia James and Sage Hunter headline the latest release from Girlfriends Films, titled “Lesbian Sister In-Laws 2.”

Jade Greene Fronts Latest From TeamSkeet

Jade Greene stars with Nicky Rebel in the latest release from TeamSkeet.

Bree Mills Wraps Production on Pure Taboo Thriller 'Let Me In Too'

Adult Time has announced that production has wrapped on the Bree Mills thriller sequel "Let Me In Too."

Emma Rosie, Rebel Rhyder Topline Latest Volume of 'Hookup Hotshot: E-Girls'

Emma Rosie and Rebel Rhyder headline Brian Gozzling’s “Hookup Hotshot: E-Girls 28” from Evil Angel.

Agatha Vega Fronts Latest From Ricky's Room

Reigning XMA Europas Female Performer of the Year Agatha Vega stars in the latest release from Ricky's Room, titled "Agatha Habla Sucio."

Show More