Adult film actress Mercedes Carrera, known legally as Melinda Smith, and pornographic film producer Jason Whitney were arrested on Tuesday on charges of alleged sexual abuse of a young child, according to reports from CBS Los Angeles. Authorities indicate there is reason to believe that Mercedes Carrera and Jason Whitney may have assaulted other victims.
The Rancho Cucamonga Police Department initiated an investigation into the alleged sexual assault of a minor on January 31st. Mercedes Carrera and Jason Whitney are accused of “inappropriate touching, oral copulation, and digital penetration.” A subsequent search of their residence yielded evidence that corroborated the detailed interview conducted with the young victim. Among the findings were two loaded handguns and a bedroom staged as a set for recording pornographic videos. The alleged abuse is reported to have occurred over a four-month period.
A porn actress & producer charged with 8 counts of sexual acts with a child under 10. Detectives say the bedroom in their Rancho Cucamonga apartment was set up like a film set & contained evidence that substantiated the victim’s story. PD believes there may be more victims @CBSLA pic.twitter.com/o4f5IYnabN
On Wednesday, both Whitney and Mercedes Carrera entered pleas of not guilty to eight counts each of sexually abusing a child under the age of 10. Bail was denied, and both remain in custody.
Beyond her career in the adult entertainment industry as Mercedes Carrera, Melinda Smith is also recognized for her involvement in the right-wing Gamergate movement. Originating from false accusations against game developer Zoe Quinn in 2014, Gamergate became associated with the harassment of women in the video game industry and game journalism. Despite claims of fighting journalistic bias, core allegations of the movement were proven false, including the assertion of a quid pro quo relationship between a developer and reviewer.
Mercedes Carrera rose to prominence within this movement and the broader far-right sphere. She has appeared on platforms hosted by right-wing figures such as conspiracy theorist Paul Joseph Watson and Gavin McInnes, the founder of the extremist group the Proud Boys.
In a profile with the Daily Caller, Mercedes Carrera expressed views against feminists and “SJWs” (social justice warriors), a term used pejoratively by conservative critics against civil rights activists. She stated, “We all get to make the choice every single day about who we want to be.”
Due to the possibility of additional victims, police have released photographs of Smith and Whitney and are urging anyone with information to contact the Rancho Cucamonga Detective Bureau at (909) 477-2800, extension 2850.
