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Nude Internet
models sentenced
to probation

Four Japanese women used
false information to enter the U.S.;
the leader is held without bail

By Debra Barayuga
Star-Bulletin

Four Japanese nationals who authorities say were brought to Hawaii to work as nude Internet models were ordered to pay a $40 fine and sentenced to six months of unsupervised probation.

Akemi Hosono, Kaori Ishino, Yukako Abe and Misaki Natsuhori had pleaded guilty last Friday to using false information to enter the United States, a petty misdemeanor.

U.S. Magistrate Leslie Kobayashi yesterday said the amount of the fine reflected the nature of the offense and the cooperation of each woman in providing testimony to the government. The fine included a $10 special assessment.

The women stayed several weeks at their own expense and inconvenience so they could be deposed Wednesday, Kobayashi said. This also was their first offense, she said, and they played a relatively minor role in a larger scheme.

Four others indicted

Four others have been indicted on felony charges of conspiring to smuggle the women into the United States so they could pose nude for photographs to be published on the Internet.

U.S. Magistrate Barry Kurren yesterday ordered the alleged ringleader of the scheme, Akira Sekimoto, held without bail.

Two other defendants, Shihoko Sakamoto and Sean Nakayama, pleaded not guilty to the charges Jan. 21 and were released after each posting a $10,000 unsecured bond. They were ordered to stand trial March 14.

Another defendant, Takao Ono, also has pleaded not guilty and was released after posting a $25,000 unsecured bond.

The women were looking forward to returning to Japan as early as today, their attorneys told the court. Immigration officials were trying to assist the women so they could leave right away.

Attorney David Klein said Natsuhori, his client, has expressed remorse over her actions and indicated they won't happen again.

During the next six months, the women cannot return to the United States without authorization from the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

If they return in the next six months and violate any American state, federal or local law, their probation may be revoked and they could face jail time.