WASHINGTON – An Indiana man has been charged by a federal grand jury in Martinsburg, W. Va., with transportation of obscene materials and related offenses, Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division announced today.

Loren Jay Adams, 45, of Indianapolis was charged with transporting obscene matters through the U.S. mail and transportation of obscene matters for sale or distribution by means of interstate commerce. In a separate allegation, the government is seeking forfeiture of assets belonging to Adams, including certain obscene materials and all property derived from profits or other proceeds obtained from or used to commit the alleged offenses. Adams faces a maximum prison sentence of five years on each of the charged counts. The indictment was returned by the grand jury on May 20, 2008, and unsealed following Adams’ arrest.

According to the indictment, Adams operates through his three businesses: Hard2Find Videos; L & J; and L and J. Adams is charged with distributing obscene DVDs in February 2008. According to the indictment, the films were shipped from Indiana to Martinsburg through the U.S. mail.

An indictment is a formal charging document notifying the defendant of his charges. All persons charged in an indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Pamela Satterfield of the Criminal Division’s Obscenity Prosecution Task Force with investigatory assistance from the FBI.