Jeffrey Hurant, the chief executive officer of the now defunct Rentboy.com, pleaded guilty yesterday to promoting prostitution.

 

RentBoy was one of the most popular sites catering to male escorts and their clients. It was shut down last summer when its offices were raided by federal agents, and several people were arrested.

 

“Surely the Department of Homeland Security has more pressing concerns than to fritter away precious time and resources on something that shouldn’t even be criminalized in the first place,” Human Rights Watch’s Graeme Reid said at the time.

 

Florida attorney and South Florida Gay News editor Norm Kent was equally critical of the arrests. "Some people want to buy couches; other people cocks," he said. "Deal with it. The matter is not for you to judge. Adult men seeking masseurs and escorts should have that unfettered right. Rentboy.com provided the Internet a vehicle wherein consenting adults made free choices."

 

During the past few months, charges have been dropped against all RentBoy employees except for Hurant. After his guilty plea, he faces up to 21 months in prison. He will be sentenced in February, 2017. (That's what we consider due process these days?)

 

As Joe.My.God. pointed out, "dozens and dozens of heterosexual escort agencies continue to operate openly in New York City." Wow, that sounds totally fair!