Moonlighting Porn Cops Not Protected, Appeals Court Says

PALM BEACH, Fla. – Porn and the law have once again brushed up against each other, and this time an appeals court has determined that two Palm Beach police officers moonlighting as adult content cannot enjoy protections of the 1st and 14th Amendments.

Plaintiffs Ronald Thaeter and Timothy Moran, both deputy sheriffs with the Palm Beach Country Sheriff’s Office, performed as content for a paysite on multiple occasions in 2000, which was operated by another deputy sheriff, Jack Maxwell, and his wife Elizabeth Maxwell. The officers participated in scenes involving group sex, masturbation, oral sex with multiple partners, and in some cases used police cars belonging to the Palm Beach Country Sheriff’s Office as props.

Thaeter also was featured in a streaming video involving sex with his wife, Sorphea Thaeter, for broadcast on three different pay-per-view websites.

The officers originally had asked the Maxwells to obscure or disguise their faces, to protect their professional standing with the sheriff’s office. But the site operators were unable to successfully do so, and later that year a private citizen identified one of the officers on the Maxwell’s site and filed a complaint.

Thaeter and Moran were investigated for professional misconduct and fired. However, both deputies appealed their termination, arguing that the Police Officer Code of Ethics, which requires a police officer to “maintain a life unsullied as an example to all” in their off-duty lives, was “vague,” and that a police officer cannot be disciplined for off-duty involvement in an activity that is protected by the 1st Amendment.

After their reinstatement of employment was denied, the two officers filed a complaint in federal court for permanent injunctive relief and monetary damages against the Palm Beach Country Sheriff’s Office. Included in the complaint were allegations that their free speech rights had been violated. The judge dismissed the case claiming that the off-duty sexual activities of the two officers did not constitute protected expressive conduct under the 1st Amendment.

The two officers appealed the case in the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which determined that they were in fact legally terminated and there was no basis for the case to proceed.

“Although a government employee does not relinquish all 1st Amendment rights otherwise enjoyed by citizens just by reason of his or her employment,” the district judge wrote, “a governmental employer may impose certain restraints on the free speech of its employees, restraints that would be unconstitutional if applied to the general public.”

The judge’s decision was based on an earlier ruling in the case City of San Diego vs. John Roe, which involved the termination of a police officer who acted in adult films during his off-duty hours and then was caught selling them on eBay. Roe claimed that his termination from the police force violated his 1st and 14th Amendment rights, but the 9th Circuit disagreed, ruling that courts should balance the speech of a government employee with the "proper functioning of government offices," which cannot be compromised.

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

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."

Taylor Vixxen Makes Her MILFY Debut

Taylor Vixxen has made her debut for Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint MILFY, alongside Dan Damage.

Catherine Knight Makes Her Vixen Debut

Catherine Knight has made her Vixen debut alongside Dan Damage.

Andi Avalon Headlines 'Slutty Nurses 3' From Reality Junkies

Andi Avalon toplines the third volume of "Slutty Nurses" from Mile High Media studio imprint Reality Junkies.

Show More