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Four post bond after arrests at juice bar
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By Jeff Haldiman
News Tribune
The four people arrested Saturday night at a western Cole County juice bar have been released from the Cole County Jail after posting bond.
The four include Mike Barnard, 50, the owner of Shakel's Secrets, a juice bar at 403 Arden Dr. Barnard was charged with promoting prostitution in the third degree and furnishing intoxicating liquor to a minor. He also owns Golden Touch Jewelers, which sells adult-themed items at the same location.
He posted a $50,000 bond with the condition that he not re-open the business.
A juice bar allows various forms of exotic dancing because alcohol is not served.
According to jail records, the others arrested Saturday were John M. Chenault, Jr., 28, Jefferson City, for promoting prostitution; and Irena M. Sita and Angela D. Brown, arrested for prostitution. Their ages and addresses were not available.
The probable cause statement from the sheriff's department showed five members of the department conducted an undercover operation around 6 p.m. after Barnard made an agreement with an undercover officer to host a party at the business for $300.
Barnard allegedly told the undercover officer the party would include a room in his business, referred to as the “candle room,” a mattress and two females. Barnard also said the females would perform sex acts during the party.
At that time, Barnard accepted a $150 deposit to secure the room for the party.
Also, during the original arrangement, Barnard told the undercover officer he and his guests could bring alcohol into the business, even though Shakel's doesn't have a liquor license.
After the officers entered the business with a cooler full of beer and liquor and paid the remaining $150, two females entered the room with cups in hand and told members they were drinking margaritas.
The officers then allegedly witnessed the two women engage in sex acts.
It was at that time that the officers arrested Barnard and the other three individuals.
During and interview with Chenault, he allegedly said he previously had worked in the nude club business and informed Barnard it was illegal for the girls to perform certain acts.
He also said he saw Barnard pouring a margarita into a cup, but did not see who he gave it to. However, an 18-year-old female told a deputy that Barnard gave it to her to “help loosen her up.”
Barnard reportedly told deputies that he had received money to provide a room inside the business where the women could perform; that he would pay the two females to make love in front of the five clients; and knew his employee, Chenault, was carrying a weapon and did not think Chenault had a conceal carry license.
County officials have been looking at ways to deal with this business for more than a year.
Near the end of 2006, Barnard applied for and was granted a business license to operate the juice bar at that location.
A business that collects sales tax needs to get a license from the county collector's office.
Barnard's neighbors have complained to county commissioners about Golden Touch Jewelers, which sells adult-themed novelty items. They said their property values were going down because the business was located there and they feared for the safety of the many children in the area, which includes day care centers operating there.
County officials felt there was something in place that would have to be followed by the business owner, or it would be shut down.
A 1996 county commission order requires a juice bar to have background checks completed on potential employees, sets a minimum age limit of 21 for those who work and enter the business and that the business provides security personnel. It also prohibits public nudity within 10 feet of any person observing such nudity and prohibits public displays of sexual intercourse, deviate sexual intercourse, or people appearing in a state of nudity.
Meanwhile, starting in February 2007 the sheriff's department and county health department performed inspections of the business.
The fact that the county has no zoning that could prevent a business like this from opening up has also prompted county leaders to have talks with business and agriculture groups about what types of zoning would work in the county.
Belt or spot zoning would require state-level legislation, and local lawmakers have indicated they would try to help if this is the way county leaders with such a proposal.
The four include Mike Barnard, 50, the owner of Shakel's Secrets, a juice bar at 403 Arden Dr. Barnard was charged with promoting prostitution in the third degree and furnishing intoxicating liquor to a minor. He also owns Golden Touch Jewelers, which sells adult-themed items at the same location.
He posted a $50,000 bond with the condition that he not re-open the business.
A juice bar allows various forms of exotic dancing because alcohol is not served.
According to jail records, the others arrested Saturday were John M. Chenault, Jr., 28, Jefferson City, for promoting prostitution; and Irena M. Sita and Angela D. Brown, arrested for prostitution. Their ages and addresses were not available.
The probable cause statement from the sheriff's department showed five members of the department conducted an undercover operation around 6 p.m. after Barnard made an agreement with an undercover officer to host a party at the business for $300.
Barnard allegedly told the undercover officer the party would include a room in his business, referred to as the “candle room,” a mattress and two females. Barnard also said the females would perform sex acts during the party.
At that time, Barnard accepted a $150 deposit to secure the room for the party.
Also, during the original arrangement, Barnard told the undercover officer he and his guests could bring alcohol into the business, even though Shakel's doesn't have a liquor license.
After the officers entered the business with a cooler full of beer and liquor and paid the remaining $150, two females entered the room with cups in hand and told members they were drinking margaritas.
The officers then allegedly witnessed the two women engage in sex acts.
It was at that time that the officers arrested Barnard and the other three individuals.
During and interview with Chenault, he allegedly said he previously had worked in the nude club business and informed Barnard it was illegal for the girls to perform certain acts.
He also said he saw Barnard pouring a margarita into a cup, but did not see who he gave it to. However, an 18-year-old female told a deputy that Barnard gave it to her to “help loosen her up.”
Barnard reportedly told deputies that he had received money to provide a room inside the business where the women could perform; that he would pay the two females to make love in front of the five clients; and knew his employee, Chenault, was carrying a weapon and did not think Chenault had a conceal carry license.
County officials have been looking at ways to deal with this business for more than a year.
Near the end of 2006, Barnard applied for and was granted a business license to operate the juice bar at that location.
A business that collects sales tax needs to get a license from the county collector's office.
Barnard's neighbors have complained to county commissioners about Golden Touch Jewelers, which sells adult-themed novelty items. They said their property values were going down because the business was located there and they feared for the safety of the many children in the area, which includes day care centers operating there.
County officials felt there was something in place that would have to be followed by the business owner, or it would be shut down.
A 1996 county commission order requires a juice bar to have background checks completed on potential employees, sets a minimum age limit of 21 for those who work and enter the business and that the business provides security personnel. It also prohibits public nudity within 10 feet of any person observing such nudity and prohibits public displays of sexual intercourse, deviate sexual intercourse, or people appearing in a state of nudity.
Meanwhile, starting in February 2007 the sheriff's department and county health department performed inspections of the business.
The fact that the county has no zoning that could prevent a business like this from opening up has also prompted county leaders to have talks with business and agriculture groups about what types of zoning would work in the county.
Belt or spot zoning would require state-level legislation, and local lawmakers have indicated they would try to help if this is the way county leaders with such a proposal.
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Justice_in_JC wrote on Mar 13, 2008 7:00 PM:
" I feel for the neighbors of this place but I have a suggestion. Why don't you neighbors stand outside with cameras "
Sorry Sasha, I really dont think the Neighbors of the establishment want to start snapping pictures, because they would more than likely be taking pictures of each other!..
Look at it this way..
If there is a bar on your corner, or one across town.. which are you more likely to visit? The one closest to your residence! Now think of these people that hate the place so much that reside next door... they need a new toy, and dont want to drive to columbia to get one!HUMMMM "