7 women cited at strip club plead not guilty

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Written by: 195 on Jan 28, 2010

VIROQUA - Seven strippers cited under the local pornographic performance ordinance pleaded not guilty to their $500 citations today.

The cases against Marcia C. Brent, 23, La Crosse; Kayla D. Raines, 25, Ontario; Megan M. Brumfield, 27, La Crosse; Katherine J. Franks, 23, La Crosse; Cassandra A. Viera, 18, Holmen; Alissa D. Langaard, 22, Westby; and Jacey L. Lamb-Halko, 22, La Crosse, will appear next in Vernon County Circuit Court Feb. 22 for status conferences.

Gunner's Bar owner Thomas L. Ghelf, 43, also pleaded not guilty through his attorney to an identical citation.

Lindsay M. Bryant, 22, La Crosse, and Kelly M. Fields, 26, Hammond, Ind., were found guilty of the offense when they failed to appear in court. Prosecutors sought a $5 fine plus court costs for a total of $136.50.

"This is not about money, it was about shutting (the striptease acts) down," said Vernon County District Attorney Timothy Gaskell.

The nine strippers and Ghelf were cited after a Dec. 18 raid at the rural De Soto bar when authorities believe the strip dances violated the county pornographic performances ordinance.

Franks said in December that Ghelf told the women, many who worked at Gunner's for five months, the business was licensed to allow the performances.

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