EDWARDSBURG — If Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz has his way, the Edwardsburg area strip club that was raided a week ago will be shut down for as long as a year.

Fitz’s receipt of a temporary restraining order to padlock the Escape Reality club on Dailey Road was one of two developments Tuesday. In the other, a dancer charged initially with various offenses including keeping a house of prostitution has now been charged also with three counts of engaging in sexual penetration without advising partners she was HIV positive.

Fitz identified the dancer as Melissa “Star” Goodman, 23. He said all three HIV-related incidents are alleged to have occurred inside the club between Feb. 11 and April 15.

Each count carries a penalty of up to four years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

Goodman was arraigned on the charges Tuesday. She’s being held on a $40,000 bond.

Fitz said the potential for spreading diseases was included in his filing of a nuisance abatement action in Circuit Court seeking to shut down the club for a year. The complaint alleges that the club is a “dangerous common nuisance due to ongoing drug activity, prostitution and repeated acts of lewd behavior.”

The abatement request and last week’s raid followed an investigation of alleged illegal activities at the club that was launched several months ago. Neighbors’ complaints prompted the investigation.

Six people were arrested initially and a seventh turned herself in on Monday. The dancers range in age from 19 to 29.

People with information regarding the criminal or civil cases that developed from the investigation are asked to call police at (800) 462-9328. Anyone with concerns over HIV-related issues and/or testing is asked to contact the county Health Department at (269) 445-5280 in Cassopolis or (269) 621-3143 in Van Buren County.

Staff writer Lou Mumford: lmumford@sbtinfo.com (269) 687-3551