June 25, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Porn star to seek bail in alleged blackmail scheme

(Thinkstock)
(Thinkstock)

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.

Related Posts

(Video) Food Fight: Chefs Join Forces to Raise Money to Protect Immigrant Families in Venice

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

Estrano, Little Dynamite, Sunday Gravy, Kabob Senpai Answer the Call From Turk’s Pizza Party. Dave Turkel Put This Food Resistance...

Squatter-Plagued Beverly Grove Buildings Could Be Razed After Hazard Cleanup

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

Demolition of Three Abandoned Apartments May Begin in Two Weeks Three abandoned apartment buildings in Beverly Grove may soon be...

From Westwood to DTLA, Angelenos March Against Military Escalation in Iran

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

Protestors Rally at the Westwood Federal Building This Weekend Following President Donald Trump’s authorization of airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear-related...

LAPD Sergeant Killed Assisting Crash Victims on 405 Freeway in Brentwood

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

Tragic Early-Morning Collision Claims Two Lives, Including Veteran Sergeant Two people, including an LAPD sergeant, were killed early Monday in...

Recent Homebuyer Down Payments Slip for First Time in Nearly Two Years

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

April’s Median Down Payment Fell as Buyers Lean Toward Lower-Cost Homes The median down payment made by U.S. homebuyers dropped...

Del Rey Affordable Housing Project to Rise on Former Charter School Site

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

Community Corp., Local Faith Group Team Up to Build 122 New Apartments Plans are moving forward for a new residential...

Paris Hilton Buys Mark Wahlberg’s Beverly Park Mansion for $63.1M

June 22, 2025

June 22, 2025

The Heiress and Media Mogul Joins a Star-Studded Neighborhood Paris Hilton and husband Carter Reum have purchased a high-profile estate...

A.O.C. Brentwood to Close After 16 Years on San Vicente Boulevard

June 22, 2025

June 22, 2025

Chef Goin and Styne Cite Unsustainably High Rent in Decision to Close  A.O.C. Brentwood, the acclaimed Westside outpost from James...

Weekend Lane Closures on PCH in Malibu Could Snarl Summer Beach Traffic

June 21, 2025

June 21, 2025

Army Corps Work Triggers Weekend Closure on Pacific Coast Highway Motorists traveling along Pacific Coast Highway this weekend should prepare...

LA City Councilwomen Yaroslavsky and Jurado Call for Legal Action Against Federal Immigration Raids

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

City Motion Targets Alleged Unconstitutional Tactics, End Qualified Immunity for Fed Officers  City Councilmembers Katy Yaroslavsky and Ysabel Jurado introduced...

All Aboard to LAX: Metro Opens Game-Changing Transit Hub Ahead of Global Events

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

 New LAX/Metro Transit Center Comes Closer to Connecting Metro Directly to LAX The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro)...

Princess Diana’s Largest Wardrobe Auction Set for Beverly Hills

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

Over 200 Royal Garments to Hit the Auction Block for Charity More than 200 garments and royal artifacts, including the...

Queer Beauty Through the Ages: Getty Hosts Lecture on Greek Art’s Influence on LGBTQ Aesthetics

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

Art Historian to Trace Homoerotic Imagery From Ancient Greece to Modern Queer Identity As part of its ongoing Pride Month...

Food Fight on the Venice Boardwalk: Chefs Stand Up for Immigrants with Food

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

Turk’s Pizza Party Rallies Top Local Eateries for an Immigrant Rights Fundraiser In a bold display of culinary activism, Turk’s...

Navy Vietnam Vet Finally Gets His UCLA Commencement Moment

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

John Fong, 80, Missed His Graduation in 1968 While in Vietnam  Nearly six decades after completing his studies, U.S. Navy...