In an unexpected turn of events, the detention hearing for Michael Everts, a prominent gay gym owner in D.C., has been postponed indefinitely. Everts is currently facing a charge of distribution of child pornography, which has sent shockwaves through the LGBTQ community in the area. Initially scheduled for December 4, the hearing’s fate remains uncertain as Everts’s defense attorney, David Benowitz, filed a motion on the same day, in which Everts waived his right to the detention hearing and instead requested a preliminary hearing set for January 10, 2024.
Everts has been in custody since his arrest on November 29, a result of a joint investigation by D.C. police and the FBI. He stands accused of distributing child pornography, a charge that has raised concerns about the safety of children in the community. The defense attorney’s motion to waive the detention hearing, with no opposition from the U.S. Attorney’s office, points towards a prolonged period of incarceration for Everts until at least the preliminary hearing in January.
A Chilling Prosecution Argument
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Bond has presented a compelling argument for Everts’s pretrial detention, emphasizing the gravity of the charges against him. The prosecution asserts that “Distribution of Child Pornography is a crime of violence,” and there are no conditions that can ensure the community’s safety if Everts were to be released. The case began when an employee of the gay and bi hookup site Sniffies alerted the FBI about a user seeking underage boys’ images for sexual gratification. Subsequent investigations led to Everts, who allegedly sent explicit images and engaged in conversations about sexual acts with minors.
The prosecution’s memo reveals a disturbing pattern of behavior, where Everts expressed a desire not only to view explicit content but also to interact sexually with underage individuals. The documents state that Everts bragged about engaging in sex with a minor and showed a willingness to sexually abuse a child as young as 10 years old.
As the legal proceedings continue, the LGBTQ community in D.C. remains in shock, grappling with the unsettling allegations surrounding a once-prominent figure in their midst. The outcome of the upcoming preliminary hearing on January 10, 2024, will undoubtedly have a profound impact on Everts’s future and the community’s sense of security.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals from harm, regardless of the accused’s social status or reputation within the LGBTQ community.