Netflix is facing criminal charges over its controversial film “Cuties,” which was released in August amid accusations from both liberals and conservatives of sexually exploiting preteen girls in its portrayal of them.
A grand jury in Tyler County, Texas, indicted the popular streaming service on Sept. 23 for its “promotion of lewd visual material depicting [a] child,” which goes “against the peace and dignity of the state.”
According to a tweet of the one-page indictment from Texas state Rep. Matt Schaefer (R-Tyler), the charges include the knowing promotion of visual material that depicts the “lewd exhibition of the genitals or pubic area of a clothed or partially clothed child who was younger than 18 years of age at the time the visual material was created, which appeals to the prurient interest in sex, and has no serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.”
According to a press release from Tyler County Criminal District Attorney Lucas Babin, Netflix went against Section 43.262 of the Texas Penal Code, which is a state jail felony offense.
“The legislators of this state believe promoting certain lewd material of children has destructive consequences,” Babin said. “If such material is distributed on a grand scale, isn’t the need to prosecute more, not less? A grand jury in Tyler County found probable cause for this felony, and my job is to uphold the laws of this State and see that justice is done.”
Many conservatives, including Elizabeth Johnston, also known as the “Activist Mommy,” praised the indictment announcement on Twitter: “Yes!! Texas kickin butt and taking names! Hope this starts a flood of indictments against the rampant obscenity peddled by Hollywood.”
However, Netflix denied any wrongdoing over “Cuties” after a summons was served to the corporation on Oct. 1 by the Texas State Rangers.
“‘Cuties’ is a social commentary against the sexualization of young children,” a spokesperson for Netflix told Fox News. “This charge is without merit and we stand by the film.”
Photo: Natee Meepian/Alamy Stock Photo