Movie Producer Indicted For Operating A Prostitution Business And Money Laundering Scheme

Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and George M. Crouch Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Newark Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging DILLON JORDAN, a/k/a “Daniel Jordan,” a/k/a “Daniel Maurice Hatton, a/k/a “Daniel Bohler, with conspiracy to violate the Mann Act, substantive Mann Act and Travel Act violations, and money laundering in connection with operating a prostitution business and laundering the proceeds of that prostitution business through two front companies – a purported party and event planning company and an actual movie production company.  JORDAN was arrested today in San Bernardino County, California, and will be presented today in the Central District of California.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “As alleged, for years, Dillon Jordan operated an extensive and far-reaching prostitution business, using a purported event planning company and a movie production company to conceal the proceeds he made from exploiting women.  Now the party is over and the film is a wrap.”

FBI Special Agent-in-Charge George M. Crouch Jr. said: “This defendant apparently thought he could hide his alleged criminal dealings behind a supposedly legitimate business.  But the FBI, in its mission to protect our citizens, uses every tool at its disposal to unmask those who violate federal law and assist the impacted victims.  We encourage anyone who was victimized by this defendant, and anyone with additional information, to contact our Newark field office.”

As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:[1]

From in or about 2010 through at least in or about May 2017, JORDAN operated a prostitution business throughout the United States and abroad.  JORDAN maintained a roster of women who resided around the United States and who, in exchange for payment, performed sexual acts for JORDAN’s clients at locations throughout the United States, including the Southern District of New York, and abroad.  JORDAN communicated with the clients of his prostitution business by email to coordinate the prostitution services, which included sending to clients photos of women who were available for hire for prostitution services, discussing the price of prostitution services, and overseeing travel logistics for women to travel to engage in prostitution.  At times, JORDAN himself arranged the interstate travel from the women to engage in prostitution, and at other times, clients, at JORDAN’s direction, arranged the interstate travel for the women whom JORDAN directed to those clients.  To facilitate his prostitution business, JORDAN also coordinated with a United Kingdom-based madam by sharing and referring customers and prostitutes.

JORDAN primarily managed the finances of the prostitution business through two front companies – a purported party and event planning company and a movie production company – incorporated in California.  JORDAN opened multiple bank accounts for these companies, which he used to accept cash, wire, and check payments for prostitution services from clients and to pay for the expenses of the prostitution business, including paying the women for their prostitution services by cash and check.  By using the two front companies to receive deposits from the prostitution business, JORDAN ensured that transactions involving those proceeds from the prostitution business would disguise the nature, source, and origin of those proceeds.    

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JORDAN, 49, of Lake Arrowhead, California, is charged with: one count of conspiracy to violate the Mann Act, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one count of enticement, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of use of interstate commerce to promote unlawful activity, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; and one count of money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  The statutory maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge. 

We urge anyone who feels she may be a victim of, or have information related to, the conduct in this case to please contact the FBI at [email protected] or (973) 792-3000.

Ms. Strauss praised the investigative work of the FBI.  This case is being handled by the Office’s Money Laundering and Transnational Criminal Enterprises Unit.  Assistant United States Attorney Cecilia E. Vogel is in charge of the prosecution.

The allegations in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.