By Billy House
The Tampa Tribune

WASHINGTON—A California man and an entertainment company face obscenity charges after federal authorities in Washington and Tampa and say he distributed pornography through a computer service and the U.S. mail to a Florida address.

Paul Little, 50, of Altadena, who the authorities say is also known as “Max Hardcore,” and Maxworld Entertainment, Inc., was charged with five counts of transporting obscene matter through the use of an interactive computer service and five counts of mailing obscene matter.

Little is described as a nationally-known director, producer and star of films that feature acts that involve “severe violence towards the female performers participating in the acts.”

The 10-count indictment was returned on May 17 in Tampa, and unsealed Wednesday.

Little, who also goes by the name “Max Steiner,” turned himself in to authorities in California on Wednesday.

Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division and acting U.S. Attorney James R. Klindt for the Middle District of Florida made the announcement of Little’s arrest in a joint press release and a copy of the indictment.

The indictment alleges that Little – through the entertainment company – distributed video films that are considered pornographic under U.S. Supreme Court’s standards for obscenity to an address in Florida.

To help promote these films, the indictment also alleges that the defendants also used a website for the purpose of selling and distributing the films, by transmitting over the Internet five obscene video clips as promotional trailers.

The press release said it is seeking forfeiture of the obscene films, the gross profits from the distribution of the films and all property used in connection with the alleged obscenity crimes, including Little’s residence in Altadena.

It will also seek forfeiture of all the Internet domain names used.

Investigators with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of

Investigation conducted the investigation of this case.

The case is being prosecuted by trial attorneys with the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the Criminal Division, with the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.

Questions were referred to the Justice Department in Washington, where a spokesman was not immediately available.

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