MARIETTA, OH – An investigation into a prostitution ring, which was running its operations via the internet, led Ohio law enforcement officials to search a home just outside Marietta. The search led to the discovery of a cache of alleged bestiality videos, which officials say were also being sold over the Web.Bill Reed, 46, was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear in court on a probation violation, and a subsequent search of his home yielded over 300 hardcore videos depicting sex acts between women and animals, according to Washington County Sheriff Larry Mincks.
Mincks said that Reed has not been charged with any crime related to either pornography or prostitution, but that Reed was a “person of interest” in the ongoing prostitution investigation.
According to Mincks, the prostitution investigation kicked off in early October, when an informant told the Sheriff’s office about an alleged prostitution ring that used the internet to hook up prostitutes and prospective customers at local motels.
“It was very surprising to me to find out we had prostitution in this county, but when we got the information we pursued it,” Mincks said. “We ultimately got enough information for probable cause, and that’s why we executed the search warrant.”
After the search of Reed’s home, the investigation expanded to include the production and sale of pornographic videos, Mincks said. According to Mincks, most of the videos were foreign-made, but he said it appears that some were made locally. Mincks said the videos depict women having sex with a variety of animals, including dogs, ponies and horses.
Mincks said the videos were being sold on a website, sickvids.com, which was being operated out of Reed’s home on Bramblewood Heights Road; the site has been in operation since 2000.
Four unnamed women have been identified as participating in the prostitution ring that Mincks alleges was being operated by Reed. Mincks also said that Reed admitted to grossing over $23,000 per year in the operation, but Mincks said Sunday that number more likely is about $150,000. Mincks did not elaborate on how he arrived at the $150,000 figure.
Reed has not yet been charged with any crime, and is free on a $1,000 bond.
“We do not feel Mr. Reed is a threat to flee,” Mincks said. “He does own property in this county.”
