PITTSBURGH -- In a case that has begun drawing national attention, a couple pleaded not guilty to obscenity charges for allegedly distributing pornographic material that depicts murder, rape and other violent acts against women.

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Suspect: Movies Are "Strictly Entertainment"

Robert Zicari, 29, and Janet Romano, 26, of North Hollywood-based Extreme Associates Inc., are accused of mailing obscene tapes and DVDs to an address and a wholesaler in the Pittsburgh area and transmitting obscene images via the Extreme Associates Web site.

Zicari, also known as Rob Black, and Romano, also known as Lizzie Borden, surrendered their passports when they were indicted earlier this month. They entered their pleas Wednesday at the federal courthouse in downtown Pittsburgh and remain free pending trial.

The U.S. Justice Department says this case is part of what will be an ongoing crackdown on lax enforcement of obscenity laws. A trial has the potential to become a test of how the Supreme Court defines "obscene."

While the movies themselves are not illegal, U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan said it is against the law to send them through the mail or, in the case of the Web site, display them via an Internet connection that crosses state lines.

Buchanan said the Extreme videos are "certainly not the type of thing that someone would think of when they think of pornography. This material is violent, it's brutal, it's degrading to women."

But Zicari said he's merely in the entertainment business.

"We make movies," he said. "It's no different than Hollywood, except that our movies involve adults engaged in sex."

Zicari's attorney, Warner Mariani, said the material in question may be pornographic, but it's not obscene.

Only Zicari and Romano have been charged. The wholesaler and others who allegedly bought the movies have not been identified.

Zicari and Romano, both of Northridge, Calif., could face a maximum of 50 years in prison and a $5 million fine if they are convicted.