Strip Club Raids Result In Arrests, Citations in Sandy Springs (UPDATED)

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- A raid at Sandy Springs' three adult entertainment establishments resulted in dozens of citations and arrests of people accused of engaging in sexual activity.

The agency carried out compliance checks Wednesday evening at Flasher's at 6420 Roswell Road, Mardi Gras at 6300 Powers Ferry Road and Main Stage/Dollhouse at 5275 Roswell Road to determine if these establishments are following code sections 26-24(b)(4), 26-25(a) and 26-29(a) of the city's ordinances.

Those ordinances prohibit patrons from having physical contact with any adult entertainer, employees working without an adult entertainment work permit and anyone under the age of 18 or a person who hasn't obtained the permit from being employed at these locations, respectively.

A total of 34 citations were issued to employees who were not in compliance with the city's ordinances, Sandy Springs police said late Wednesday.

Arrests were also made at each of the three establishments on violations of the city's ordinance relating to solicitation of an illicit sexual act. Those arrested were employees at the businesses: 39-year-old Tonya Thompson of Flasher's, Kelsey Kay Pierce, 24, of Mardi Gras and 38-year-old Arielle Johnson of Dollhouse.

The operation, the agency stated, was the result of an investigation that began in September involving "illegal activity taking place inside the clubs."

The clubs have been involved in ongoing litigation with the city of Sandy Springs over the course of several years. Cary Wiggins, an attorney who represents Mardi Gras and Flasher's, declined to comment on the specifics of the allegations.

“We are still trying to figure out why the city did what it did,” he added.

However, city Attorney Wendell Willard said Sandy Springs expects all businesses operating within its jurisdictions to "comply with the law."

"Apparently, the police found there was reason to believe these business enterprises were not, and the police did what is expected of them," he said. "They enforced the law of Georgia and ordinances of the city."

Willard added that the raids most likely will not lead to the city revisiting its ordinances on adult entertainment, "as current laws are working as intended."

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