ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, April 19, 1997 TAG: 9704210058
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DIANE STRUZZI THE ROANOKE TIMES
A 25-year-old man was arrested on pandering charges and two women were arrested on prostitution charges.
They call it Shooters 44, a place where clients can pay up to $100 to watch women model lingerie. The Northeast Roanoke establishment opened last week, complete with a pink fluorescent sign out front advertising: "Live Girl Models."
But inside, police said, vice detectives discovered a sex-for-hire scheme late Thursday. They arrested a 25-year-old man on felony pandering charges - helping to obtain a woman for prostitution - and two women on misdemeanor prostitution charges.
"It's a front for prostitution," Vice Lt. Ron Carlisle said. "A different twist to the old massage parlors."
Police first heard about the business at 2813 Williamson Road when they received a call from a concerned mother. Her daughter had seen an ad in The Roanoke Times' classified section asking for models. Those who responded to the ad were told they could make $40 an hour modeling lingerie.
Late Thursday, two undercover detectives posed as clients and paid $30 each to see a private modeling show. They were escorted to a private back room where two women tried on lingerie for them and danced provocatively.
When the detectives asked if anything more was available, the women told them to talk with the man standing behind the front counter. According to the police, William Smith told the undercover detectives to wait at a nearby motel, that he would bring the women to them, and that it would cost them a total of $250.
Shortly after Smith and the two women arrived at the motel, police arrested them. Police would not release the names of the women, who were 21 and 24 years old.
Smith is listed as secretary of Shooters 44 , Carlisle said. He was released from Roanoke Jail on a $5,000 bond Friday, but could not be reached for comment.
The owners and other employees of Shooters 44 described Smith as a friend and an investor in the business. They said nothing illegal happened in their shop. If anything went on, they said, it was an isolated incident between Smith and the two women.
"This is a very clean establishment," said Toby Peters, who described himself as an investor. "All we do is sell lingerie. We did before [police] took it all."
After detectives arrested Smith they searched the business, confiscating the lingerie that filled a front counter in the reception area.
"This is completely unadulterated nonsense," said Shooters 44 president Charles McNeff. "This was a hands-off type of situation. ... There were no illegal acts here. Furthermore, it looks like a strong case of entrapment to me."
Customers are greeted with a sign listing what it costs to be with a model - from $40 for 15 minutes up to $100 for an hour. Signs posted on the walls and on each of the doors to the private modeling rooms warn customers not to touch the women.
"No touching or harassing the ladies. Thank you. The management," says one.
"Don't be tight. The girls work for tips," says another.
McNeff said he paid $20,000 to $30,000 to renovate the rented store. Windows have been blackened on two of the rooms to enhance the black light that some of the women use when they dance, McNeff said.
"We have 151 percent abided by the law," he said.
Shooters 44, which opened less than two weeks ago, remains in operation despite the arrests.
"We're not closing down. We're not running from anybody," McNeff said.
The shop operates 12 hours a day during the week and 16 hours a day on the weekend, and has had about 50 customers, McNeff said. One woman made as much as $150 in tips from a customer, he said.
"We had to beat them off with ball bats," McNeff said of his customers. "We want prominent types of people in here - doctors, lawyers. Don't think we don't get them."
But neighbors and other area business owners said they were wary of the establishment from the beginning. Cars pulled in and out of the lot throughout the night, drinking appeared to be going on and women would follow after customers as they left the business, they said.
"I don't have any comment," said an employee at one business who did not want to give his name. "But I'd love to see them leave."
"There's people there [all the time,]" said a female neighbor who didn't want to be identified. "They were always loud and drinking. All of the girls were running in and out."
Police said they have not completed their investigation and that charges are pending against others at the business.
LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ERIC BRADY THE ROANOKE TIMES. Shooters 44 at 2813by CNBWilliamson Road opened last week, complete with a pink fluorescent
sign out front advertising its "Live Girl Models."