Store Case Goes Before Utah Supreme Court

SALT LAKE CITY — John Haltom, owner of three Dr. John’s Boutiques in Utah as well as numerous stores in other state, had his day in court yesterday. He asked the Utah Supreme Court to overturn his 2000 conviction for selling a sexually explicit video to a minor.

Haltom served 30 days, with the remainder of his five-year sentence suspended, and was placed on probation after a jury found him guilty of failing to use reasonable care when checking the ID of a 17-year-old girl.

The girl, it turned out, was the daughter of a local police officer.

Haltom argued that he was entrapped because his trusted store employee was in on the sting and the young girl is related to a police officer.

In August 2005, Haltom lost an appeal based on the same argument. In an 11-page opinion, the court shot down Haltom’s claims, stating that there was no evidence showing that the employee attempted to coerce or convince Haltom to ignore the girl’s date of birth. The court also said the mere existence of a relationship between a decoy and a police officer does not constitute entrapment.

“The court has made it very clear what will happen to those who peddle porn to kids," Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said after the 2005 ruling. "Let's hope others will learn from Dr. John's unfortunate decision to sell an X-rated video to a minor.”

Shurtleff’s assistant Attorney General Christine Soltis argued the case before the state Supreme Court Thursday, sticking to the same contention that helped her win in appeals court last year: that adult retailers should be held criminally liable for failing to use care in discerning a customer’s age.

In a separate case, Haltom also is challenging city ordinances in Midvale and Roy requiring sex shop owners to buy special business licenses, claiming that such a rule interferes with his 1st Amendment rights.

He has refused to purchases licenses for any of his Utah stores.

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

Ryan Keely Fronts Latest From New Sensations

Ryan Keely stars with Victor Cruz in the latest release from New Sensations.

Zariah Aura Stars in Latest From Transfixed

Zariah Aura stars with Kenna James in the latest release from Transfixed, titled "Feeling Her Way."

Brittney Kade Fronts 'Couples Loving Trans 2' From GenderX

Brittney Kade stars with Adira Allure and Sage Roux in the second volume of GenderX Films' "Couples Loving Trans," directed by Jim Powers.

BeYourLover Debuts 'Cloud' Vibrator Collection

BeYourLover has introduced its new Cloud series of vibrators.

Lovense Reveals Results of 'Relationship Rut' Survey

Lovense has released the results of a survey asking 2,000 respondents if they felt their relationships were in a rut.

Eve Sweet Makes Her Brazzers Debut

Eve Sweet has made her Brazzers debut alongside Xander Corvus in “Horny Gymnast.”

Tonga Now Shipping 'Romantic Rose' Vibe From Blush

Tonga BV is now shipping the new Romantic Rose vibrator from Blush's Play With Me line.

Penny Barber: The Fit Mommy Domme Reveals Her Auteur Side

When Penny Barber took home the 2025 XMAs trophy for MILF Performer of the Year, she was 39 — but she’d already been telling people she was a MILF for almost 20 years.

Summer Starz Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Creator Summer Starz has made her debut for Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint WIFEY alongside her husband Dean Darkhole and Sheem.

Jewelz Blu Stars in Latest From Ricky's Room

Jewelz Blu stars with Mazee the Goat and site honcho Ricky Johnson in the latest release from Ricky’s Room, titled “Two Inside Of Jewelz Blu.”

Show More