State Felony Charges Dropped Against Former Sebastian's Owner

A state Superior Court judge dismissed two felony charges brought against Steven Santilli, the former owner of Sebastian's Party Place, for and led to the closing of the business.

Associate Judge Netti Vogel granted the dismissal motion at a pre-trial hearing held Feb. 20, according to online court records.

Amy Kempe, the public information officer for state Atty. Gen. Peter Kilmartin, wrote in an Apr. 5 email that prosecutors "dismissed the charges as the matter was adjudicated on the municipal level... and the business has subsequently shut down."

reported at the time that two undercover officers, one representing the local department and another from the Rhode Island State Police, went to Sebastian's on Apr. 2, 2011 to investigate complaints of improper activities at the event hall.

After paying the $25 cover charge, according to police reports, the two officers witnessed several sex acts that were in violation of town ordinances prohibiting nudity where alcohol is served.

The detectives called in other officers to prevent further sex acts from occurring, Deputy Police Chief David DeCesare said at the time.

Following his arrest, Santilli was also charged with the state felonies based on website announcements of the event.

At their meeting on Apr. 11, 2011, Johnston Town Councilors revoked all of the three operating licenses held by Santilli for Sebastian's, effectively putting it out of business.

Since then, the council has in the space formerly ocupied by Sebastian's.

Past articles on this topic:

• , Dec. 30, 2011
  
• , Jun. 24, 2011
• , Apr. 12, 2011
• , Apr. 11, 2011
• , Apr. 8, 2011
• , Apr. 5, 2011
• , Apr. 4, 2011