Navarre, Florida- [nwfdailynews.com]- Last June, Navarre resident Clinton Raymond McCowen [aka Ray Guhn, pictured] was arrested in connection with an Internet porn ring that involved filming in Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties.
This June, Assistant State Attorney Russ Edgar says three more people were arrested in the case and an additional charge of fraud involving money laundering over $100,000 has been made.
McCowen was picked up on that warrant in late June, according to officials.
Edgar says because the crimes occurred in three counties—Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Escambia—he dropped the 2006 charges filed in Escambia and re-filed in Santa Rosa. Now, the entire case will be tried here.
This is one of the first prosecutions of its type in recent history across the nation, according to Edgar. He says the fact the charges range from racketeering to prostitution, fraud, and making or promoting obscene performances, is rare for one case.
In addition to McCowen, also known as Ray Guhn, Kevin Patrick Stevens, Andrew Kevin Draft, William Lee Beach and Thomas W. Dwyer have all been charged in the case.
A female, Jane Marie Dreka is actively being sought. Anyone who might know her whereabouts is asked to contact authorities.
Edgar says the investigation is on-going and the new charge of fraud/money laundering of over $100,000 resulted from activities occurring last year. He says he believes the Internet porn business, called Ray Guhn Productions, doing business as Global Technology Foundation, LLC, Quasar nebula Revocable Trust, Futurling, LLC, among others, has been sold. He declined to comment further.
The pornography operation reportedly brought in $150,000 a month and using locals as “models” and performers. The men had been filming the pornography for five years, according to officials.
Women who participated in a primary role were paid $1,000. A supporting role paid $400. Participants received $300 for private parties that often served as an audition for film roles.
The house owned by McCowen in Navarre was used as a base of operations for the Internet porn business, according to officials.
Reports say McCowen had a Santa Rosa County occupational license under the name of Sky Research, LLC, using the Navarre home as his business address.