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Women sentenced in Enferno Club raid

Owner awaits trial for charges mostly relating to alcohol


BUCYRUS -- Two women arrested during a raid at the Enferno Gentlemen's Club, 934 Lincoln Highway, in December have been sentenced in Crawford County Municipal Court.

Brooke M. Tate, 32, Forest, pleaded no contest to one count of illegal sexual activity in a sexually oriented business and was sentenced to 10 days in jail, all suspended. She was ordered to pay a $250 fine, with $150 suspended, and $139 in court costs.

Skyler Novesta, 20, Tiffin, pleaded guilty to two counts of soliciting in a sexually oriented business. Novesta was sentenced to 10 days in jail on each charge, all suspended, and ordered to pay $500 in fines with $300 suspended.

The women, both employees at the club, were arrested along with the club's owner, Charles Durham, 60, of Bucyrus, after an investigation by agents and officers from the Ohio Department of Taxation, Crawford County Sheriff's Office and METRICH Drug Task Force.

Durham, who faces 18 first-degree misdemeanor charges including illegally operating a sexually oriented business and illegal sales of alcohol, is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing in March.

"Most of the charges are because of the alcohol violations," Crawford County Sheriff Ron Shawber said. "He does not have a liquor license, and Holmes Township, where the business is located, is a dry township."

Durham also was served a summons from the Ohio Department of Taxation citing him with several violations of Ohio tax law.

This is not the first time Durham has faced charges related to the business. In September 2009, Durham was arrested on 16 charges. He pleaded guilty in Crawford County Municipal Court to five counts of actions prohibited without a liquor permit, five counts of the illegal sale of liquor, five counts of illegally operating a sexually oriented business, and one count of the improper handling of a firearm.

After Durham's plea, visiting Judge David Faulkner sentenced him to 180 days in jail with 179 days suspended on the first 15 charges and 30 days with all days suspended on the gun charge.

Durham, who was placed on probation for two years, also was required to pay fines and court costs totaling $5,509.

Durham's property and its contents have been seized by the Crawford County Sheriff's Office. Durham is free after posting a $13,500 bond.

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