Hurant was supported by a courtroom full of friends and family who wrote letters to the court explaining that Hurant’s business had helped the LGBTQ community.

“We must fearlessly fight for the right to let consensual adults choose what they do with their bodies,” Hurant said.

Judge Margo Brodie opened the sentencing, saying she planned six months as a punishment to send a message to others committing similar crimes. When she asked Hurant to argue why she shouldn’t give him six months, he took off his glasses and paused.

“I really don’t want to say anything that will put my foot in my mouth,” Hurant said as the courtroom burst into laughter. “I felt every day that I was doing something good.”

Rentboy.com had around 500,000 visitors a day and charged up to $299.95 for ads, according to court documents.

In five years, the site grossed more than $10 million dollars that were laundered into Hurant’s corporation, Easy Rent Systems Inc.

Although the site had multiple disclaimers saying the advertisements were not for prostitution, escorts explicitly bought ads that offered sex acts.

Drop-down menus on the site listed categories including “Safe Sex” and “Sexual Position.”

When lawyers reviewed rentboy in 2015, they told Hurant he would likely be protected under the First Amendment, according to court filings.

But the domain name was eventually seized, along with more than $1.5 million in August 2015.

“Mr. Hurant acknowledges that he broke the law,” Michael Tremonte, one of Hurant’s lawyers, told reporters in the court halls. “The appropriate thing to do is focus on changing the law.”

Democratic politicians also sent letters to the court urging for a lesser sentence, including five City Council members, who argued that “a harsh sentence will serve neither society nor the rehabilitation of Mr. Hurant.”

Hurant and his lawyers have a week to suggest a prison and a date of imprisonment.

Hurant must pay a $7,500 fine immediately.

The former CEO currently works at Pluslux laundry company doing IT work. His employer supported him and said he will accept him back after his term.

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