Franklin strip club owners on trial today on cocaine trafficking, other charges

The corporation that owns New York, New York Cabaret in Franklin will be in Warren County Common Pleas Court today on felony charges stemming from a local and state investigation of the club that started in December 2016.

The club, two managers and a dancer were indicted in 2017 on 23 felony and misdemeanor counts.

One of the managers, Michael Reese of Miamisburg, pleaded guilty to charges of cocaine trafficking, illegally operating a sexually oriented business, possession of cocaine and permitting drug abuse in January 2018. He was placed on three years probation in March 2018.

The other manager, Courtney Rogers of Springfield, was indicted on the same charges and was granted treatment in lieu of conviction in February 2018.

Two other dancers were charged with misdemeanors and pleaded guilty in Franklin Municipal Court as a result of that investigation.

A third manager, Mark Butterfield III of Cincinnati, was also charged with multiple felony counts of permitting drug abuse and drug trafficking as well as the misdemeanor charge of illegally operating a sexually oriented business. His bench trial on those charges is also set for today.

The club located at 1121 E. Second St. remains in operation pending resolution of an objection to its liquor permit renewal filed by the city of Franklin.

N.Y.N.Y., Inc. was indicted for two counts of trafficking in cocaine and four counts of permitting drug abuse, all fifth-degree felonies, and illegally operating a sexually oriented business, a first-degree misdemeanor.

The club was also charged with misdemeanor counts for permitting nude dancing in the establishment after midnight in violation of Ohio law.

In addition, Franklin City Council objected to the renewal of the club’s liquor permit. That objection is still pending with the Ohio Division of Liquor Control.

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