Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Fake Photographer Charged With Raping Models Found On ModelMayhem.co

Fake Photographer Charged With Raping Models Found Online

WSVN TV News is reporting the arrest of a former Miami Beach police officer for the rape of at least two female models in Miramar, Florida.

Officials there say that 36-year-old Lavont Flanders Jr. lured beautiful young models by posing as a photographer and promising them a part in a commercial. He arranged to meet the models at a Miramar warehouse located at 3590 State Road 7, where he would drug and then sexually assault them.

The investigation is on-going, as Flanders may have preyed on multiple victims. "We are investigating five cases of sexual battery on a victim that has been incapacitated," explained Dale Robertson of the Miramar Police Department.

"What has happened is these young women would post their information and pictures and stuff on a website called modelmayhem.com and our suspect would go to this website and pick his victims off this website."

ModelLaunch recently published an article called "Modeling Scams & The Casting Couch Part One: Problem Photographers which warned models "Some problem photographers may even resort to drugging models by slipping Viagra, date-rape drugs (Roofies) or worse into their drink."

According to the writer, ModelLaunch Editor Sean Bickerton: "The best advice I can give novices is to take a friend (not your jealous boyfriend or girlfriend - that kills a shoot) along with you the first time you shoot with any photographer you encounter over the internet.

"No good photographer should object to you bringing a friend along to your first shoot if you advise them in advance. Bottom-feeders will always object. So, take someone along the first time. And if you're under 18, I strongly recommend that a parent, guardian or agent be with you at every photo shoot if you don't know the photographer."

1 comment:

Dave said...

People like this give photographers a bad name.
Models read the last couple paragraphs of this article. Take its advise to heart.
Also if anyone knows a good website or article about safety for models could you let me know.
When I shoot a model I am always trying to make sure they are safe by bring a friend and as a photographer I in turn try to be safe. I try to meet the model in a public place (Starbucks getting coffee has been a good one for me)along with meeting in the middle of the day or close to it as possible.
I don't have a studio location people can come into. One of the selling points to my photography is that I am equipted to come to you.