According to the New York Post, Carlos Simon-Timmerman, a pizza delivery man from Brooklyn, was put on trial in Puerto Rico for allegedly transporting child pornography.
US customs agents found a pornographic DVD called “Little Lupe the Innocent” in his bags as he passed through San Juan Airport security in Puerto Rico on his way back to New York. The agents beleived that the actress in the video, porn star Lupe Fuentes, was underage, and Simon-Timmerman was arrested on sight.
But thanks to Ms Fuentes, Simon-Timmerman was sprung earlier this month after the actress flew to Puerto Rico and proved in court that she was 19 at the time the film was made.
“I’m thankful to her,” his mum, Eff Simon, said. “It was a big relief.”
Mrs Simon said her son was visiting his sister last year in Venezuela when he bought the DVD in a flea market, believing it was nothing more than legal smut.
At his trial this month, a pediatrician insisted Lupe Fuentes was underage.
But that was before Mr Simon-Timmerman was able to put “Little Lupe” – a Spanish native whose real name is Zuleydy Piedrahita – on the stand, where she produced her passport and photo ID.
His lawyer, Hector Ramos-Vega, said he tracked her down through her website and persuaded her to appear in court. She asked for no money and was enthusiastic about helping, Mr Ramos-Vega said.
Ramos-Vega said Lupe’s testimony bashed the credibility of the doctor and federal agents.
“She didn’t have to do that, but it was crucial for our case,” Ramos-Vega said. “I know Carlos was very grateful — it was like he was born again.”