BACKPAGE WEBSITE SHUT DOWN, FOUNDER CHARGED WITH 93 COUNTS BY FBI IN SEALED INDICTMENT

http:// www.newsweek.com/sex-ads-website-backpagecom-co-founder-charged-after-fbi-raid-876333

https:// archive.li/Facr4

>The co-founder of Backpage.com, a website synonymous with sex ads, was arrested by federal agents and charged with criminal offences, after law enforcement seized the website as part of an enforcement action by the FBI, according to a posting on the website on Friday.

>Federal agents raided the Sedona home of Backpage co-founder Michael Lacey on Friday. A Phoenix FBI official said there was “law enforcement activity” at Lacey's home, but referred further inquiries to the Justice Department.

>Reuters was unable to reach representatives of Backpage for comment.

>The charges against Lacey were laid out in a 93 count sealed indictment, The Republic reported.

>Backpage allows users to post adverts to sell items, and carries ads for roommates, job openings, automobiles and more. Backpage's adult services listings carrying adverts from sex workers, which are purportedly the focus of criminal probes.

>Lacey established his career founding a network of alternative weeklies across the U.S., and is a former owner of the Village Voice, and the Phoenix New Times.