Jackson, Mississippi- For the second time in two weeks, Jackson Police closed down an adult entertainment club Saturday night and made six arrests for violations of the city’s nudity ordinance.
Five dancers and the manager of Girls of Paradise, 210 Parcel Drive, were arrested just before 11 p.m. Saturday.
Vice Sgt. William Gladney said undercover officers were in the club and witnessed three of the women allowing patrons to touch them, one exposing herself and two dancing without licenses. The manager also was arrested for allowing the alleged violations to occur.
The club was operating under a temporary license. Its owner, Gilbert Paige, was arrested two weeks ago after Mayor Frank Melton and two JPD detectives closed Centerfolds, another adult entertainment club at 960 S. West St. in Jackson. They said they witnessed a totally nude dancer, lewd behavior and a couple having sex in the club.
Paige subsequently was denied a permanent license to operate at Centerfolds and Saturday night was denied a permanent license at Girls of Paradise, Gladney said.
Melton has said he does not believe the adult entertainment industry belongs in Jackson. He repeated those sentiments Sunday, saying all such clubs are disrespectful to women.
“I want them to shut down and get out of Jackson,” he said.
On Feb. 2, an attorney representing the owners of Babe’s Show Club, another adult establishment, filed for a temporary restraining order against the city in an effort to stop any attempts to close the club.
U.S. District Court Judge Henry T. Wingate said he plans to rule this week on a 2001 lawsuit filed on behalf of Babe’s Show Club and Secrets Cabaret, challenging the constitutionality of Jackson’s adult entertainment ordinance.
Arrested Saturday night were:
# Kristie Harper, 25, of 158 Ramage Road, charged with violating a city ordinance and a traffic violation. She was released on a $1,450 bond on Sunday.
# Rebecca Nations, 26, of 3731 Mississippi 27 North and JuQuanna Hankel, 22, of 3175 Robinson St. , each charged with one count of violating a city ordinance. Both were released on $625 bonds.
# Ashley Bell, 20, charged with two counts of violating a city ordinance. She was released on a $1,225 bond.
# Christie Lungrin, 27, of 3935 Archer Ave., charged with violating a city ordinance. She is being held at the Hinds County Detention Center at Raymond on contempt of court charges relating to two other city ordinance violations from 1997 and 2000.
# Manager Michael Johnson, 56, of 5840 Ridgewood Drive Apt. B3, charged with two counts of violating a city ordinance and a traffic violation. He was released Sunday on a $1,275 bond.