Sections
  • Home & Style
  • Editors’ Picks
  • Events Calendar
  • Food
  • Health
  • News & Politics
  • Longreads
  • Our Events
  • Parenting
  • Real Estate
  • Shopping
  • Things to Do
  • Travel
  • Weddings
Reader Favorites
  • 100 Best Restaurants
  • Takeout Guide
  • Cutest Dog Contest
  • Neighborhoods
  • Newsletters
  • Directories
Washington’s Best
  • Apartment Rentals
  • DC Travel Guide
  • Dentists
  • Doctors
  • Financial Advisers
  • Health Experts
  • Home Improvement Experts
  • Industry Leaders
  • Lawyers
  • Mortgage Professionals
  • Pet Care
  • Private Schools
  • Real Estate Agents
  • Restaurants
  • Retirement Communities
  • Wedding Vendors
More
  • Subscribe
  • Manage My Subscription
  • Digital Edition
  • Shop
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
© 2021 Washingtonian Media Inc.
Privacy Policy
All Rights Reserved
 Rss
Skip to content
Washingtonian.com
  • Search
  • Subscribe
  • Menu
  • News & Politics
  • Things to Do
  • Food
  • Health
  • Shopping
  • Home & Style
  • Real Estate
  • Weddings
  • Travel

  • 100 Best Restaurants
  • Takeout Guide
  • Cutest Dog Contest
  • Neighborhoods
  • Newsletters
  • Directories
  • Trending Now in News & Politics
  • Networking
  • Stephen Miller
  • Alexandria
  • DC United
  • Outdoor Dining
News & Politics

A DC Woman’s Photos Were Used for the Facebook Profile of a Porn-Recruiting Scam

Written by Briana Thomas
| Published on June 16, 2016
Tweet Share
Photography via iStock.

A DC woman says her photos were stolen to make a Facebook page for a phony porn recruiter allegedly invented by a Seattle writer and photographer who used the account to lure women into having sex with him. The fake recruiter, named  “Deja Stwalley,” was first reported by the alt-weekly Stranger as the alleged online alter-ego of journalist Matt Hickey.

According to the Stranger, Deja Stwalley was the maiden name of a real person not involved in the porn industry, but the Facebook page’s photos feature DC resident Lauren McGrath. McGrath, 24, says her Facebook photos—depicting her wearing a blue romper, building a campfire, hugging someone, and playing with a cat—were taken from her account and used as the face of the fake porn recruiter who reportedly solicited sex with six Seattle-area women.

Multiple women have come forward saying they were offered successful careers in porn by Hickey, according to the Stranger. Three women allege Hickey coerced them into having sex auditions with him after he contacted them through Facebook Messenger claiming to be a recruiter for porn studios. According to one of the women, Hickey told the girls they needed to prove to the production company that they could handle having sex with a stranger.

McGrath found out her photos were tangled up in this scam when a family friend sent her a link to the Stranger‘s original story.

“I feel really upset for [the women who say they were ‘auditioned’ by Hickey], and I feel gross that they now associate my face with being used and hurt and exploited,” she told The Stranger.

McGrath is considering taking legal action.

 

Don’t Miss Another Big Story—Get Our Weekend Newsletter

Our most popular stories of the week, sent every Saturday.

Or, see all of our newsletters. By signing up, you agree to our terms.
More: FacebookPornographyScamsSeattleSex
Join the conversation!
Share Tweet
Briana Thomas
Briana Thomas

Most Popular in News & Politics

1

First Look: The Gathering Spot Is a Private Club for the Black Community

2

Stephen Miller Is Selling His DC Condo. Unfortunately, He’s Not Leaving the Area.

3

T.C. Williams High School Has a New Name: Alexandria City High School

4

Wizards and Capitals Fans Can Now Attend Games

5

Georgetown Is Installing Deck Panels to Widen Its Sidewalks

Washingtonian Magazine

March 2021: The Influencers

March 2021: The Influencers

View Issue
Subscribe

Get Us on Social

We'll help you live your best #DCLIFE every day

Get Us on Social

We'll help you live your best #DCLIFE every day

Related

It’s Digitally Official: Joe Biden Is @POTUS

Facebook Apologizes for Removing Photojournalists’ Pictures of Capitol Riot

Yes, You Can Totally Have Sex in Animal Crossing

Food Money Sex: A Government Contractor Who Has “I Missed You” Sex, Day Drinks at Home, and Makes Brunch

More from News & Politics

Wizards and Capitals Fans Can Now Attend Games

A $2 Flat Metro Fare? It Could Happen (Temporarily).

T.C. Williams High School Has a New Name: Alexandria City High School

First Look: The Gathering Spot Is a Private Club for the Black Community

DC Moves Up Date When All Residents Will Be Eligible for Covid Vaccine

There Will Be No July 4th Parade on the Mall This Year

A Former Washingtonian Helped “Wonder Woman 1984” Conjure Reagan-Era DC

Stephen Miller Is Selling His DC Condo. Unfortunately, He’s Not Leaving the Area.

© 2021 Washingtonian Media Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
Washingtonian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Privacy Policy and Opt-Out
 Rss
Get the best news, delivered weekly.
By signing up, you agree to our terms.
  • Subscribe
  • Manage My Subscription
  • Digital Edition
  • Shop
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs