Mugshot.com owners arrested for pay-for-removal scheme that ‘profits off people’s humiliation’

Three out of four individuals allegedly behind the website Mugshots.com were arrested on Wednesday on charges of extortion, money laundering, and identity theft.

On Wednesday, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra filed criminal charges against the alleged owners, Sahar Sarid, Kishore Vidya Bhavnanie, Thomas Keesee, and David Usdan.

Sarid and Keesee were arrested in Florida, Bhavnanie was arrested in Pennsylvania. Usdan is suspected to be in Connecticut, where his arrest warrant will be served.

The website gathers data from police and sheriffs’ department websites, collecting individuals’ names, booking photos and charges. From there, they publish the information online without the persons’ consent.

“Once subjects request that their booking photos be removed, they are routed to a secondary website called Unpublisharrest.com and charged a “de-publishing” fee to have the content removed. Mugshots.com does not remove criminal record information until a subject pays the fee,” the AG’s Office said.

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21 thoughts on “Mugshot.com owners arrested for pay-for-removal scheme that ‘profits off people’s humiliation’

  • August 8, 2018

    Ok, but if they were arrested, then why is their website still online? Their website should be seized and removed from the internet.

    Reply
    • August 8, 2018

      Yea…. Well….. Dont confuse the courts with facts

      Reply
  • May 20, 2018

    FAC, I havent been receiving any posts in the past 3-4 days.
    I received a letter stating that they could “get me off the list”….. To find out more about this “RETAIN US”, then join a FEDERAL LAWSUIT, call us.

    Has anyone else received this letter??
    Estes-Hightower
    Attorneys
    Orlando

    Reply
    • May 20, 2018

      Yes – we encourage people to ignore that solicitation.

      Reply
      • May 20, 2018

        FAC,
        Thank you. My inbox has more than 20 emails from you guys.
        Fac, you say to ignore that latest letter being sent out, Im sorry, I cant…. (Evil wicked grin)
        I think I will call them tomorrow and take up ALOT of their time with questions.
        You, and others will say “WHY?”
        I am disabled and have nothing else better to do that to “talk to people on the phone”
        (I LOVE talking to Windows Internet Security– I keep them on the phone 15-20 minutes)
        SO, bothering them with legal questions and stats dont bother me.

        Reply
        • May 20, 2018

          There are MUCH, MUCH more important calls to make if you have time to volunteer.

          Reply

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