Preliminary Hearing Begins for Cuadra, Kerekes

WILKES-BARR, Pa. — A preliminary hearing for the murder trial of gay content producers Harlow Cuadra, 25, and his partner Joseph Kerekes, 33, began Monday. The pair is accused of the January murder of gay adult film producer Brian Kocis, whose real name was Brian Phillips, in a plot that allegedly involved accessing one of Kocis’ exclusive models so that the model could appear on a website operated by Cuadra and Kerekes.

Kocis was found murdered after firemen responded to an alarm at his Dallas, Pa. home on Jan. 24.

In the hearing, two medical examiners testified that Kocis died of “near decapitation” and several graphic photos of the victim were presented before Magisterial District Court Judge James Tupper.

Luzerne County Coroner Dr. John Consalvo testified that Kocis had been inflicted with 28 to 29 post-mortem stab wounds to his torso and groin areas. Kocis had also third degree burns over 80 percent of his body.

A former roommate of Cuadra and Kerekes named Justin Hainsley testified that he had heard the pair describe Kocis as their biggest competition in the adult video industry. He said also that he heard them discuss Sean Lockhart, also known as Brent Corrigan, who was an exclusive model for Cobra Video, the company owned by Kocis. Hainsley said that Cuadra and Kerekes wanted to employ Lockhart to appear on their adult website and that he had heard them say “the only thing standing in the way was Kocis.”

A neighbor of Kocis testified that he had seen a silver-colored SUV parked in the driveway of Kocis’ home less than an hour before the fire at the residence was reported on Jan. 24.

A visitor of one of Kocis’ neighbors said that she saw a light-colored SUV backing out of the driveway of Kocis’ home approximately 10 minutes before fireman arrived at the scene.

According to other reports, Cuadra and Kerekes had rented an SUV and were staying in Plains, Pa., near the scene of the murder on Jan. 24. A hotel manager from the Fox River Inn testified and showed a registration slip confirming that the pair had checked in at the time of the murder.

The hearing is expected to take longer than one day.

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

NYC Adult Businesses Seek SCOTUS Appeal in Zoning Case

Attorneys representing a group of New York City adult businesses are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear an appeal of a lower court’s decision allowing enforcement of a 2001 zoning law aimed at forcing adult retail stores out of most parts of New York City.

Kasey Kei Fronts 'Transsexual Hitchhikers 5' From GenderX

Kasey Kei stars alongside reigning XMAs Gay Performer of the Year Derek Kage in the fifth volume of GenderX Films' "Transsexual Hitchhikers," directed by Jim Powers.

Amirah Adara, Tiffany Tatum Star in Latest From MixedX

Amirah Adara and 2023 Euro XMAs Female Performer of the Year Tiffany Tatum star in the latest release from MixedX, titled “The Wrong Word.”

LorReign Performs 1st Gangbang for WIFEY

Content creator and former Colorado sheriff's deputy LorReign performs her first gangbang in the latest scene from Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint WIFEY.

Richard Mann Drops 1st Evil Angel Showcase With Rebel Rhyder

Rebel Rhyder stars in Richard Mann’s first Evil Angel showcase, titled "A Day In The Life Of: Rebel Rhyder."

Amy Nosferatu Fronts Latest From TransAngels

Amy Nosferatu stars with OnlyMatt in the latest release from TransAngels, titled “It’s Giving No Thanks.”

Daphne Klyde Returns to Immoral Productions

Daphne Klyde stars in a new two-part scene from Immoral Productions alongside Charlie Dean and Matt Bird.

Erika Lust Reflects on Vanguard Legacy and the Right to Pleasure

Erika Lust has spent two decades defying assumptions about what porn can be. The Barcelona-based filmmaker and studio head has built a global reputation on a simple premise: that sex onscreen should feel human, ethical and emotionally resonant.

Ofcom Investigates More Sites in Wake of AV Traffic Shifts

U.K. media regulator Ofcom has launched investigations into 20 more adult sites as part of its age assurance enforcement program under the Online Safety Act.

Tiffani Time Featured in Latest From Kink.com

Tiffani Time stars with Pierce Paris in an '80s-themed scene titled “Let’s Get Physical.”

Show More