JANESVILLE — The other shoe has fallen in the investigation of prostitution at Janesville’s only strip club.
And the laces are loose on more shoes in the ongoing probe.
Janesville police and the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation made 10 arrests over the weekend and Monday in Janesville and elsewhere in the investigation of prostitution at Screamin’ MeeMees, 402 W. Delavan Drive, that started last June, Police Chief Neil Mahan said this morning.
The first three arrests made last summer involved dancers at the non-alcoholic club offering undercover officers from the Janesville Street Crimes Unit oral sex for money, according to court documents.
The 10 misdemeanor arrests—nine women and one man, whom Mahan described as a customer—involved sexual contact but not intercourse, the chief said.
“Folks typically think of prostitution as intercourse, but it includes oral sex and sexual contact,” Mahan said.
He explained that touching or rubbing genitalia, breasts or buttocks against another person for money constitutes prostitution.
Screamin’ MeeMees offers totally nude entertainment.
A nude person grinding on top of another person simulating sex is sexual contact, the chief said.
Based on undercover operations and video evidence seized with search warrants last summer, the investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are anticipated, Mahan said.
Jim and Rebecca Halbach own Screamin’ MeeMees and Diamond Jim's & The Isabella Queen, a tavern and strip bar in Rock Township at 6530 S. Highway 51.
Screamin’ MeeMees’ adult entertainment license is issued to Rebecca Halbach.
Mahan can make a case to the city council to revoke the license, but the chief said: “It would be premature to talk about licensing issues because none of the owners or managers has been charged.”
Arrested on charges of prostitution or soliciting prostitution were:
-- Emily M. Kienbaum, 26, of 2024 Arbutus St., Janesville.
-- Amanda J. Keuntjes, 20, of 121 S. Main St., No. 5, Janesville.
-- Jennifer L. Reik, 22, Milwaukee.
-- Sarah N. Weinrauch, 23, of 101 Ridgeway Court, No. 1, Elkhorn.
-- Chelsea A. Lilly, 21, of 417 N. Washington St., No. 3, Janesville.
-- Jennifer A. Lowell, 31, of 1302 W. State St., Janesville.
-- Jeffrey R. Steele, 26, Belvidere, Ill.
-- Ashley D. Lewis, 20, Milwaukee.
-- Jessica M. Whitmore, 21, of 5614 N. Kennedy Road, Janesville. She also was arrested on a charge of possessing marijuana with intent to deliver.
-- Cassandra A. Cis, 28, of 1507 Purvis Ave., Janesville.
All except Steele, the customer, worked at the club, Mahan said.
In July, police arrested three Milwaukee women—Quidonna N. Johnson, 25; Lashonta D. Nickison, 21; Tonika M. Young, 31. Their cases are proceeding in Rock County Circuit Court.