15. MS - Melton closes strip club: Mayor cites violations of Jackson's nudity laws at Center Folds
January 30, 2006

Jackson Clarion-Ledger

By Kelli Esters kesters@clarionledger.com

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton ordered an adult entertainment club closed early Sunday after he and police detectives visited the club and witnessed what the mayor said were violations of the city's nudity laws.

"I've never been so embarrassed in my life," said Melton, who was in Richmond, Va., on Sunday evening for a conference.

At 1:30 a.m. Melton said he went into Center Folds at 960 S. West St. with two Jackson officers. They had been to two other adult clubs before and saw no violations, Melton said. But when he went into Center Folds, he said he saw a female dancer totally nude on all fours engaging in inappropriate acts with customers. He said he also saw a man and woman having sex in the club.

"I saw it with my own eyes," Melton said. "It was disgusting."

The Jackson city ordinance governing nudity in clubs states that a woman's private areas must be covered. It also prohibits the dancer from touching a patron and a patron from touching a dancer "in a state of nudity."

Melton said he made the nearly 100 people in the club leave and had police tape off the building.

No one was cited, and no arrests were made.

"I don't have anywhere to put them," Melton said.

Melton said he gave the women who were working as dancers "a very good lecture."

Hinds County Sheriff Capt. Steve Pickett said the jail is not taking persons charged with misdemeanors.

"After coming back, I will file charges to see if I can get the place shut down permanently," Melton said.

Calls made to Gilbert Paige, the listed agent of Sweet Entertainment Inc., were not returned Sunday evening.

Charles Hobby, who said he was an adviser to the club, said the club usually closes at 2 a.m. and will continue to operate as it has.

"We will be open tomorrow night," Hobby said. "We are going to open up tomorrow night like we always do."

Vice Sgt. William Gladney said the police periodically check on adult entertainment businesses to ensure there are no illegal activities taking place. In order for the vice unit to shut a business down, a court order must be obtained, he said.

Gladney added there have been violations in all the adult entertainment clubs.

Gladney said Center Folds originally was shut down at 501 S. West McDowell in 1999 for being nuisance to the community but opened back up on West Street.

In November, Hobby was charged with violating a city ordinance after officers said they saw sex toys for sale and witnessed "illicit activities" in back rooms of Adult Video and Bookstore on McDowell Road. The store also is owned by Sweet Entertainment.