Strip club raid nets at least 8 arrests

RIVERSIDE — Authorities said they have arrested at least eight suspects and issued court summons to a few others in connection to Wednesday’s police raid on two strip clubs in Riverside.

On Wednesday, state and local law enforcement agents executed search warrants on the Zodiac Lounge, 4216 Linden Ave., and the KC Lounge, 4766 Airway Road. The raids were the result of an undercover investigation that began in March into illegal activities at the clubs, police said.

Police said they have issued arrest warrants for 19 employees from the two unrelated businesses, and the suspects will face about 81 criminal charges.

According to the Ohio Investigative Unit, among those employees to be charged from the Zodiac Lounge and KC Lounge are:

• Robert Maxwell, 55, of Trotwood, the manager or operator of the club, who will face misdemeanor charges of complicity in illegally operating a sexually oriented business, public indecency and soliciting prostitution.

• Tonya Demorest, 37, on felony charges of trafficking in cocaine and trafficking in heroin, and misdemeanor charges of soliciting prostitution, illegal sex activity in a business and public indecency.

• Sarah Lloyd, 20, on misdemeanor charges of illegal sex activity in a business and public indecency.

• Deirdre Nichols, 19, on misdemeanor charges of public indecency and illegal sexually oriented activity in a sexually oriented business.

• Ashley Schipper, 24, on felony charges of trafficking in heroin, trafficking in cocaine, telecommunications fraud and illegal use of food stamps.

• Brittnee Sims, 20, on misdemeanor charges of public indecency.

• Linda Wheatley, 31, on misdemeanor charges of soliciting, illegal sex activity in a sexually oriented business and public indecency.

• Heather Williamson, 22, misdemeanor public indecency charge.

• Venus Workman, 37, felony charges of illegal use of food stamps and trafficking in cocaine.

• Annette Zepf, 42, on misdemeanor counts of public indecency.

Riverside Assistant Chief Mike Brown said the city has served Zodiac Lounge owners with use-nuisance paperwork, and the city intends to try to permanently close the business.

The club was issued administrative citations against its liquor permit for improper conduct including nudity, disorderly activity, public indecency, solicitation, engaging in sexual activity, drug sales, selling alcohol to an intoxicated person, trafficking in electronic food stamp cards, illegal possession of beer and liquor and other violations.

Under state law, it is illegal for adult entertainers at businesses that serve alcohol to fully expose themselves, police said. Strippers are also prohibited from touching patrons.

KC Lounge is still open, but it faces administrative citations against its liquor license for nudity, engaging in sexual activity, public indecency and solicitation, according to the investigative, which participated in the undercover police operation.

Police said they will release the names of all 19 suspects from the businesses after they are arrested and processed.

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