1. One club ordered to close for at least a year
Calling The Harem “out of control,” a Montgomery County judge has granted a preliminary injunction closing the Harrison Twp. strip club for at least a year.
Montgomery County Common Pleas Court Judge Dennis Adkins issued his ruling Tuesday morning that declared the business a nuisance after a nine-month state investigation of the North Dixie Drive club resulted in charges of illegal drug trafficking, sexual contact and food stamp fraud.
The Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office filed for the injunction, which is separate than the prosecutions of 11 people facing criminal charges. Assistant prosecutor Mary Montgomery said there was “multiple sex acts, prostitution, solicitation and the voluminous drug activity going on inside the Harem.”
2. Three strip clubs were raided in the investigation
Three Harrison Twp. strip clubs in all were raided on Sept. 28 and several arrests were made in a long-term investigation authorities said uncovered evidence of prostitution, drugs and food stamp trafficking. The Harem was one of the clubs raided along with The Living Room and Sharky’s, which are both located on North Dixie Drive.
» READ MORE: 3 Harrison Twp. strip clubs raided in drug, prostitution, fraud investigation
3. 34 people, 140 charges
At the time of the raids, 34 people were facing felony and/or misdemeanor charges, and 140 criminal charges were filed in all. Agents also filed 166 administrative violations against the liquor permit premises and more administrative and criminal charges are possible as the investigations continue
4. 11 were indicted after the raids
A total of 11 people — five of whom were arrested Sept. 28 during a raid of The Harem, The Living Room and Sharkey’s — were indicted.
Of the indicted 84 charges, the trafficking counts included cocaine, methamphetamine, carfentanil, fentanyl, marijuana and Oxycodone. Several counts involved illegal sexual activity in a sexually oriented business, illegal uses of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) or WIC benefits and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.
» READ MORE: 3 Harrison Twp. strip clubs raided in drug, prostitution, fraud investigation
5. Food stamps also involved
Several counts involved allegations of illegal sexual activity in a sexually oriented business, illegal uses of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) or WIC benefits — such as exchanging them for sexual contact — and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.