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‘Porn king’ charged in Honduras
By Lindor Reynolds ([email protected]), November 22, 2001
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/historic/2001/11/22/porn-king-charged-in-honduras
The man once known as the porn king of Canada has been accused of making X-rated videos of children at his vacation home in Honduras. The mild-mannered Englishman who spent two years chasing the tip that eventually led to the charges is elated.
Randy Jorgensen, owner of the national Adults Only Video chain, vehemently denies the allegations. Jorgensen, who became known to Winnipeggers in the early ’90s during a well-publicized trial on obscenity charges which were later withdrawn, says he’s the victim of a disgruntled former employee. “She’s being investigated for misappropriation of funds,” said Jorgensen from his Ontario office. “In Trujillo (Honduras) this is all being treated like a joke.”
It’s no joke to Bruce Harris, executive director of Casa Alianza, a Costa Rica-based organization that monitors the sexual exploitation of children. Two years ago, Harris says, he received a tip that young girls were being taken to one of Jorgensen’s two Honduran homes, given drugged drinks and either photographed or videotaped.
Jorgensen, who was shown the photos during questioning, denies they were taken at his house. Jorgensen points the finger at his former caretaker, saying she’s got a vendetta against him.
Harris says he’s convinced the right man has been accused. “We have known about this for some time but Honduran justice moves slowly,” says Harris. “A formal complaint has been made involving girls 14 to 18.”
Harris, in Winnipeg last year as a delegate to the War-Affected Children’s conference, says the charges are a victory for all children. “Too often these kids don’t have a voice. No one cares for them. They see someone with money and power and they are so easily impressed.”
One Canadian and two American men
Last month, Jorgensen was asked to appear before a judge in response to an arrest warrant. He did so voluntarily. He says two American men, whom he doesn’t know, have been charged. He denies facing anything more formal than questioning although documents from Trujillo clearly refer to his charges.
Harris says the formal charges of living off the avails of minors were laid Monday. Americans Mike Wyatt and Woody Abbott have been charged with the production and distribution of child pornography as well as the sexual abuse of children.
According to a transcript of an interview with prosecutors, Jorgensen was asked what sort of business he owns. “It’s like a warehouse that supplies stores with products people want to buy,” he says.
Pressed by the prosecutor, he says: “It’s merchandise for people over 21 years of age. Shampoo, hand oils, creams.”
The prosecutor pushes further, asking Jorgensen if he deals in pornography. Jorgensen replies that his company and pornography are legal in Canada.
Jorgensen says he’s owned a home in Trujillo for 10 years. He bought a large amount of jungle property and had it cleared and subdivided. He says he liked the small town because “it’s warm. I was looking for a vacation property in the Caribbean, not commercialized, not a place with a lot of tourism.” He says he gets along well with his neighbours, calling Trujillo “a wonderful place.”
Harris says Jorgensen could find himself unable to leave Honduras if he returns or he could face extradition from Canada. Jorgensen says he plans to return to his favorite sunspot later this month. “I’m not guilty of anything. I haven’t been charged with anything,” says the man who owns a $25-million adult entertainment empire.
Harris tells a different story. “It’s a first step. I wouldn’t say it’s a victory until we get a conviction on one or more of the accused.”
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