Alcohol, drugs and sex were given as reasons for arresting the manager of a North Carolina adult club, two of its dancers and eight others earlier this week. The club has been under investigation by the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) Division for several months; additional arrests are expected.
Local residents had complained about Thee Playhouse, in Hickory, prompting the investigation. Investigators from ALE reported purchasing drugs and witnessing violations of alcohol laws while at the adult club.
Charges against the 11 people range from knowingly allowing sexually explicit conduct and drug possession on the premise to engaging in sexually explicit conduct and possession with intent to sell or distribute drugs, including oxycodone, hydrocodone and marijuana. A conviction for any one of these crimes could include probation, fines, a prison sentence or other penalties.
According to ALE’s website, North Carolina has made it illegal to:
- Sell alcohol to minors under age 21 or without a permit
- Possess an open container of alcohol in your car
- Sell alcohol, including beer and wine, to anyone who is intoxicated
As a division of the Department of Public Safety, ALEs job is to enforce these restrictions on restaurants, bars and others throughout the state, such as Thee Playhouse.
There is currently one outstanding warrant for a dancer at the adult club. The 19-year-old is accused of selling or delivering drugs, drug possession, engaging in sexually explicit conduct and theft by false pretenses.
Source: Charlotte Observer, “11 arrested after probe at Hickory adult club,” April Bethea, April 18, 2012