Police Raid Connecticut BDSM Site Owner's Home
by Darklady
For YNOT.com
ENFIELD, CT – Michelle Silva thought that things were starting to
settle down in her life. She was getting her finances in order and had
found that selling home-made bondage videos through her website
provided her with the economic independence she needed to accomplish
her goals. She had her professional ducks in a row and was preparing
for a successful and satisfying future. In order to comply with all
local laws, she possessed the appropriate business zoning permits. In
order to comply with national 2257 regulations, she kept appropriate
model documentation. Yet on the afternoon of Wednesday, November 16,
she says that as many as 30 members of the Enfield Connecticut police
unexpectedly entered her home, repeatedly made derogatory comments
about her lifestyle, and confiscated not only all of her computer and
Internet technology related possessions, but also every piece of
bondage furniture and BDSM equipment likewise involved. No arrests
were made.
What happened?
"We can only speculate at this point," her newly appointed attorney,
Daniel Silver states. "I know that they did not come in looking for
child stuff – and there is no child stuff. The authorities admit that
this is not a seizure for the purpose of child pornography."
Could the seizure be related to obscenity prosecution?
According to Silver, who was recommended to Silva by the Free Speech
Coalition, there has not been an obscenity arrest in Connecticut in at
least 20 years, which makes this situation all the more baffling.
Although the Enfield police department insists that it presented Silva
with a search warrant, which would provide information about the
reason for entering her home-based business, she insists that such is
not the case. According to an email sent by Silva, the police insisted
that they were "looking for something specific" and that they would
present the warrant once that had been located.
Regardless of whether or not Silva was presented with a warrant, her
attorney is clear about the fact the "at this point, I don't have it.
I have requested it and Ill get it, but needless to say, I'm not
waiting for them to do that."
Indeed, Silver, a First Amendment attorney who exclusively represents
members of the adult industry, says that "appropriate measures are in
the process of being filed with the Superior Court in Connecticut
seeking immediate return of all items seized." As Silver explains, he
views all confiscated items as "protected material," which are covered
by different laws from those concerning other forms of contraband.
Silver insists that nothing on Silva's EmpressM.net website is unusual
or extreme.
"I think the important thing is that it's disturbing that in the
state of Connecticut they would even bother with this type of
situation because, as I indicated, there has not been an obscenity
arrest in 20 years."
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