Former Christchurch man Matthew Isaac Wolfe has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to deceiving young American women into participating in sex videos, which he then posted online despite assurances they would remain private.

U.S. District Judge Janis Sammartino sentenced the 41 -year-old following his 2022 guilty plea to a felony count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking for his involvement in a sex website.

Wolfe admitted his responsibilities included running the day-to-day operations of the GirlsDoPorn.com website, managing the finances, marketing the content and serving as cameraman for about 100 videos.

The conspiracy count to which Wolfe pleaded guilty pertains to 15 victims, all adults.

“It’s my view that you played an essential role,” Sammartino told Wolfe before sentencing him to the high end of the prison-term range calculated by prosecutors.

Website founder Michael Pratt appeared in court on same day as Wolfe.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that a not-guilty plea was entered on Pratt’s behalf to a 19-count indictment that includes charges of sex trafficking, production of child pornography, sex trafficking of a minor, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.

Sentencing records revealed that Matthew Isaac Wolfe and his co-associate, Pratt, were acquaintances from New Zealand, not particularly close, having shared their early years and high school experiences there. Wolfe ventured into computer programming and also took up a job at a bar after completing his education.

The backdrop to Wolfe’s later decisions included the Canterbury quake. This disaster stalled the nation’s economy, leaving many young individuals, including Wolfe, facing bleak employment opportunities.

It was during this period that Pratt, extended an offer to join him in San Diego for a job opportunity, highlighting the need for Wolfe’s technical expertise in his business operations.

Wolfe’s transition to San Diego was facilitated by Pratt, who covered the cost of his flight, provided him with an apartment, and compensated him with a weekly salary of $500.

Wolfe’s initial role was primarily technical, focusing on maintaining computer servers, managing payroll, and handling various administrative tasks in the office.

Over time, however, Wolfe took on a more active and direct role in the company, including filming videos and engaging in the content creation process.