Photo: Jason Whitney and Melinda Smith
A man and a woman who filmed pornographic films in their home in Rancho Cucamonga will face 16 counts of sexual abuse against a child under 10 at their upcoming trial.
On Thursday, January 31, 2019, Rancho Cucamonga police learned of multiple sexual acts committed against the young female victim. Extensive interviews with the girl revealed that she had been sexually abused over the course of four months by Melinda Smith and Jason Whitney.
Further investigation determined that Melinda Smith was a 35-year-old pornographic film actress, and Jason Whitney—known as “Jay Allan” on a social media platform and “Daemon Cins” within the adult film industry—was a 43-year-old producer and director of various types of pornographic productions.
The following day, police served a search warrant of Smith and Whitney’s shared residence in the 10800 block of Church Street in Rancho Cucamonga and found them there, along with an ample amount of evidence to support the victim’s claims. Their bedroom served as a set for the videos. Police also recovered methamphetamine and two loaded handguns.
The two were subsequently detained and transported to Rancho Cucamonga Station. Incriminating interviews landed them at West Valley Detention Center for multiple charges of sexual acts against a child.
On Tuesday, February 5th, Whitney and Smith were formally charged with eight counts sexual acts with a child under 10 years old and, one count of possess controlled substance while armed with a handgun. They were scheduled for arraignment on February 6, 2019.
A preliminary hearing Rancho Cucamonga Superior Court occurred on Thursday, August 8th, 2019, at which Judge Uhler ruled that Whitney and Smith would proceed to trial for 16 counts of various sexual acts against a child. Due to insufficient evidence, they would not face trial for the remaining charges.
The two suspects remain in custody on $2 million bail. They were scheduled to be formally arraigned and scheduled for trial on August 19, 2019.
