Complaint Review: Dean W. Johnson Photographer - N. Golden Valley Minnesota

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  I have been going to school at Concordia U. in St. Paul. I started doing freelance fashion and lingerie modeling last year to make extra money. Joined the ModelMayhem.com ("MM") website in June. A girlfriend told me it would help get modeling jobs.

The first day my MM profile went live, I was contacted by Dean Johnson. He was listed as a site administrator. He told me he was an "owner". I was duly impressed.

I agreed to come to an address in the north Minneapolis suburbs that Johnson said was his studio. It was actually a rather plain-looking house; I snapped a pic and sent it to my boyfriend for safety. (Attached.)

When I drove up, I saw a fifty-something white guy - Johnson - talking with some sketchy-looking Pakistani dudes by a blue Nissan. What appeared to be a 14-year old girl was in the back seat looking around anxiously. When the men saw me approach they got in the car and drove off.

Putting aside misgivings, I went inside with Johnson. He had some lights set up and we shot a series of pictures. Johnson had lots of stock compliments. He was very touchy, saying he needed to "position" me. (((REDACTED)))

Johnson repeatedly offered me extra money to pose nude and to do something he called "POV". I had told him I did not pose nude so I firmly refused. Then he asked me what my financial goals were. I told him how much I had to raise for tuition.

He said that as an owner of MM he could make or break a model. He had been published in Playboy and could make me a centerfold. He boasted having used his power to end the careers of several photographers and models. He said he would help me if I helped him.

Johnson then asked if I had a passport, which I did. He offered to send me over to HongKong for 4 weeks. I would work at some sort of MM-affiliated studio, modeling for wealthy Japanese and Asian businessmen. I would get $1k cash on signing a contract. I would meet Johnson’s associate at the HK airport and go to an apartment. I would be given modeling assignments and earn an additional $10k for the 4 weeks. There would be "opportunities" to earn additional sums.

I could certainly use the money but I had that spidery feeling. I didn’t know what to think, so I asked my BFF’s dad who is a police detective. He almost went through the roof, telling me it was a probably prostitution/trafficking scheme. I would be lucky if I even made it back home. (((REDACTED)))

I did some Internet research on Johnson’s phone number and found it was registered in the name of "Clinton Trass". (((REDACTED)))

I am really scared now. I took down my ModelMayhem account and I’m going to transfer to another school out of the area. I am making a report to the police.

If you value your safety, Do NOT have anything to do with ModelMayhem.com or Dean Johnson!