EDWARDSBURG — A strip club temporarily closed because of alleged prostitution and drug activity will likely remain shuttered through the summer.

At a hearing late this week in Lansing the Michigan Liquor Control Commission agreed to extend the suspension of Escape Reality’s liquor and adult entertainment licenses for another 120 days, Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz said.

Police and prosecutors shut down the club at 68502 Dailey Road in April after five dancers and another employee were arrested.

One stripper, Melissa “Star” Goodman, 23, also has been charged with HIV endangerment for allegedly not telling her customers that she is a carrier of the virus that causes AIDS.

She was arraigned in April on separate counts related to three sexual incidents that are alleged to have happened inside the nightclub between Feb. 11 and April 15.

In a separate court action, Fitz also filed a temporary restraining order closing the club’s doors on the grounds that it poses a public safety nuisance.

That court action is expected to be heard in Cass County Circuit Court sometime this summer.

Meanwhile a hearing before the liquor control commission has been adjourned until the 120-day suspension expires.

“Our effort is to ensure that the concern that brought forward the suspension and temporary restraining order are eliminated,” Fitz said.
Goodman and five other club workers have been charged with a handful of crimes.

Goodman’s charges include keeping a house of prostitution and two counts of delivering methamphetamine.

Dancers Vicki C. McClain, 28, and Erin Virginia Dickerson, 23, were charged with several counts including conspiracy to keep a house of prostitution and lewd and lascivious conduct.

Lauren Marie Coombs, 19, also was charged with conspiracy to keep a house of prostitution and three counts of lewd and lascivious conduct.

Katie Ellen McCreary, 22, was charged with one count of lewd and lascivious conduct.

Brent Joseph Hanson, 58, was charged with conspiracy to keep a house of prostitution and solicitation.

Many of the defendants are headed to trial later this fall.

Staff writer Carol Draeger: cdraeger@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6234