News

June 25, 2007

Two arrested in local gay porn producer’s killing

Conversations taped electronically are key break

By Ed Lewis elewis@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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Two men from Virginia Beach were arrested Tuesday morning in connection with the slaying of gay film producer Bryan Kocis in Dallas Township nearly four months ago.

Harlow Raymond Cuadra, 25, and Joseph Manuel Kerekes, 33, were captured about 10 a.m. while driving on Virginia Beach Boulevard. Cuadra and Kerekes are each charged with criminal homicide, conspiracy to commit criminal homicide, abuse of corpse, robbery, burglary, theft and two counts of arson.

The investigation took a dramatic turn three weeks ago when investigators electronically intercepted conversations the two men had with Sean Lockhart and Grant Roy in San Diego. Lockhart is a former model for Kocis’ company, Cobra Video, and is a partner with Roy in LSG Media, a San Diego-based company that markets gay pornographic movies.

The body of the 44-year-old Kocis was found Jan. 24 by firefighters who responded to a fire at his home at 60 Midland Drive.

According to the criminal complaints, investigators recorded a conversation near a hotel in San Diego on April 27 in which Roy asked if Kocis “felt any pain.” Cuadra leaned toward Lockhart and said, “Don’t worry, he went quick.”

The four men went to Black’s Beach near San Diego on April 28, where Cuadra admitted he was inside the Dallas Township home when Kocis was killed, the criminal complaints say.

Luzerne County Coroner Dr. Jack Consalvo said Kocis was dead before the fire because there were no carbon-monoxide levels in the body or burnt particles in his airway and lungs.

Court records say Kocis suffered 28 stab wounds and a slashed neck that severed arteries and veins.

Before he was killed, Kocis told an associate he was meeting a new model that evening. Investigators claim Cuadra set up several e-mail accounts in the days before Jan. 24 and sent Kocis several e-mails identifying himself as Danny Moilin in a model application for Cobra Video.

Cuadra used his credit card to lease a silver/gray Nissan Xterra from a Virginia Beach car-rental business on Jan. 23. Cuadra and Kerekes also purchased a folding-type knife and a .38-caliber handgun and ammunition from a pawn shop in Virginia Beach on Jan. 23, the criminal complaints say. A folding-type knife was found inside Kocis’ home, investigators said.

Cuadra and Kerekes drove to Luzerne County, where they checked into a room at the Fox Ridge Inn in Plains Township on Jan. 23. Kerekes used his Virginia’s driver’s license to check into the motel, where they stayed until Jan. 24, the criminal complaints say.

Kocis’ company was involved in a federal lawsuit accusing Lockhart of violating two contracts and misusing a trademark name, Brent Corrigan, for personal use. An out-of-court settlement was reached in February, according to federal court records. Lockhart worked for Cobra Video under the name Brent Corrigan.

Investigators learned that Cuadra and Kerekes met Lockhart at a gay film convention in Las Vegas in mid-January. While having dinner at a restaurant at the Bellagio Hotel, Cuadra discussed filming pornographic movies with Lockhart but Lockhart was reluctant because he was under contract with Kocis.

Cuadra then asked questions such as, “What if Bryan left the country and what if he went to Canada.” Kerekes then said, “Harlow knows someone who would do anything for him,” according to the criminal complaints.

Roy, who was at the dinner, told investigators Cuadra was talking about killing Kocis.

A few days after having dinner with Lockhart and Roy, Cuadra purchased a background history for Kocis through USA People for $39.95 on Jan. 20, the criminal complaints say.

Attorneys for Cuadra and Kerekes said the two men also are facing charges of violating Virginia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, conspiracy to launder money and conspiracy to receive money from earnings of male and female prostitution.

Attorney Barry Taylor said Cuadra called him from the car authorities stopped on Virginia Beach Boulevard.

Attorney Graydon Brewer said the home of Cuadra and Kerekes was searched by authorities Tuesday morning and televisions were seized.

Virginia Prosecutor Paul J. Powers said Cuadra and Kerekes may appear before a Virginia Commonwealth judge this morning in connection to the arrest warrants in Pennsylvania.

Powers said he will know more information about possible extradition to Pennsylvania after the hearing.

Cuadra and Kerekes are being held at the Virgina Beach Detention Center.

Edward Lewis, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7196.

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