A porn star who allegedly blackmailed a wealthy Los Angeles man out of $500,000 and a sports car by threatening to expose details of his sexual liaisons is expected to ask a judge today for bail while awaiting trial.
Teofil Brank — who performs under the name Jarec Wentworth in adult films and on gay porn sites — was arrested March 4 by FBI agents after he allegedly attempted to further extort $1 million and a condominium from the victim, who is identified only by the initials D.B., according to documents filed in Los Angeles federal court.
Brank, 25, of Sacramento, is charged with transmitting threatening communications with the intent to extort, a federal charge carrying a possible prison sentence of up to two years.
According to court records, Brank allegedly threatened on Feb. 16 to post sexually explicit photographs and private information about D.B. on social media if he did not provide money, a motorcycle and the title to his Audi R8 luxury sports car.
“I want a new car, motorcycle, and both hands full of cash,” Brank texted to the victim, according to an affidavit prepared by an FBI agent who investigated the case. The victim transferred $500,000 to Brank the next day, prosecutors allege.
Two weeks later, an FBI agent posing as the victim’s friend met with Brank at a Starbucks in El Segundo and handed over title to the Audi and discussed transfer of the $1 million, according to the affidavit.
The agent lured Brank outside by stating the money was in the trunk of his car and, once outside, other agents arrested the performer, the affidavit states. A loaded handgun was found inside Brank’s car, according to the document.
Brank, who was denied bail on grounds that he’s a flight risk, remains in custody. His attorneys last week filed an application for reconsideration of the order and a bail-review hearing is scheduled to resume today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael R. Wilner.
