The Department of Justice has started the Backpage remission process to provide compensation for victims trafficked through the Backpage.com website. This is the largest effort so far to compensate people harmed by human trafficking linked to an online platform.
“Backpage.com facilitated the exploitation of women and children as one of the largest online advertisers for commercial sex and sex trafficking over its 14-year existence,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Backpage and its executives made millions off the trafficking of victims. Today’s announcement underscores the Department’s unwavering commitment to use forfeiture to take the profit out of crime and to compensate victims.”
U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine for the District of Arizona stated, “Backpage used its position as the leading commercial sex advertisement website to make millions of dollars through their corrupt and heinous peddling of people. The District of Arizona was proud to hold its executives accountable though criminal convictions and is proud to continue our efforts by forfeiting those ill-gotten gains to compensate real victims.”
Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division added, “Today’s announcement shows the FBI’s commitment to ensuring that those who profit from human trafficking face the consequences of their actions. We will continue to work alongside partners to thwart this industry by decimating its capacity for monetary gain while seeking safeguards for its victims.”
Chief Guy Ficco of IRS Criminal Investigation commented, “Sex trafficking is one of the most horrific crimes we confront as a society. While traffickers try to operate in the shadows, the money always leaves a trail—and that’s where we come in. IRS-CI is committed to following that financial trail to expose criminal networks and help bring justice to survivors. We’re proud to work with our federal partners to dismantle those who profit from exploitation. Victims in this case should file their petitions by Feb. 2, 2026, to access the compensation they rightfully deserve.”
Between 2004 and April 2018, Backpage.com was used as a platform for commercial sex advertisements that included illegal activities such as sex trafficking involving minors. In April 2018, authorities seized Backpage.com after investigations found owners and key executives guilty on charges including facilitating unlawful commercial sex acts using interstate or foreign commerce facilities, as well as money laundering.
In December 2024, over $200 million in assets connected with Backpage’s profits were seized by federal authorities; these funds are now set aside for victim compensation purposes.
Epiq Global Inc., also known as Epiq, has been appointed Remission Administrator for managing claims related to these funds.
Victims whose trafficking occurred via advertisements on Backpage.com between January 1, 2004, and April 6, 2018 may be eligible if they experienced financial losses due directly or indirectly from their exploitation on this platform. Claims can be submitted online at https://www.backpageremission.com/. Those needing more information or assistance can contact Epiq at toll-free number 1-888-859-9206 or internationally at 1-971-316-5053 (charges may apply). There are no fees required from claimants during this process.
The deadline for filing petitions is February 2, 2026.
This investigation involved several agencies: United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).
The prosecution team includes Senior Trial Attorney Austin Berry from DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Rapp—both assisted by Joseph Bozdech on forfeiture matters—in addition to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Galatzan handling asset forfeiture issues in related civil cases from California’s Central District Asset Forfeiture section.
Key investigators named include Special Agent Richard Robinson (IRS-CI), Special Agent Desirae Tolhurst (FBI), USPIS Inspectors Lyndon Versoza and Quoc Thai, plus Analyst Jane Chung from Joint Regional Intelligence Center.
