Backpage Sex Trade

Backpage CEO Carl Ferrer and controlling shareholders Michael Lacey and James Larkin were charged with conspiracy to commit pimping using classified ads. The investigation, prompted by reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, “found that many of the ads for prostitution services involved victims of sex trafficking, including children under the age of 18.” California Attorney General Kamala Harris said that Backpage was designed as an online brothel.