Dancers, manager ticketed for illegal 'lap dances'

A Cape Girardeau exotic dancer venue changed its name in recent weeks, but its troubles remain the same.

Police ticketed a manager and four employees Thursday night at Stephanie's Cabaret, formerly Regina's House of Dolls, at 805 Enterprise. Though the name changed, the ownership remains the same, said Lt. Ike Hammonds.

Three undercover officers entered the club and observed the violations, he said. The officers requested "lap dances," which cost $20.

Four tickets for manager

Manager Carol M. Kellison, 32, received four tickets for "knowingly allowing" the employees to perform lap dances, according to police documents.

"They're sporadic about it," she said of the police stings. "But it's one of those things we deal with in the adult entertainment industry. This was the second time in two weeks they've done this. They are targeting us right now."

Kellison doesn't expect the club will get its liquor license suspended as a result of the violations, she said.

The performers were: Charisse N. Parrish, 25; Josie L. Bishop, 26; Samiria S. Walker, 18; and Jennifer A. Wichard, 25.

They each received two summonses, one for coming within 10 feet of a customer and one for performing a lap dance.

"It was especially offending to them, since they made the girls give them the money back," Kellison said.

"They didn't do that before."

Opened in 1995

The club opened in 1995, and its dancers have repeatedly been ticketed for getting closer than 10 feet of customers, coming into physical contact with customers while performing and making lewd sexual gestures.

The club most recently had its liquor license suspended May 5 for three days for failing to timely file for a renewal license, according to the Missouri Division of Liquor Control.

mwells@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160