September 21, 2005 | Sex & Society

FBI targets adult obscenity

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation is creating a "porn squad" that will contribute to the Bush administration's war on adult obscenity.

Last  month the bureau began recruiting for a new eight agent squad that will be charged with gathering evidence against porn studios that use consenting adults in their films. Adult obscenity cases are described in a recruitment memo as "one of the top priorities" of Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, right up there with fighting terrorism.

Because erotica is protected under the First Amendment, it is difficult to make convictions under adult obscenity laws. The unit will therefore focus on "extreme" porn - that which depicts S&M, water sports, scat and bestiality. This is the type of material that is most likely to offend community standards  and could therefore by found obscene under federal statutes.

The US Congress provided funding specifically for FBI obscenity investigations in its 2005 budget.

• Recruits sought for porn squad [Washington Post]
• FBI targets garage obscenity shooters: news analysis [AVN]