Athens police seek more arrests in Fantasy World prostitution sting
Athens-Clarke County police raided Fantasy World, an adult entertainment club on Baxter Street, after receiving complaints of prostitution and drug use. The raid resulted in the arrests of two employees, and police expect more arrests to follow.
The Athens Banner-Herald has the story.
Police conducted the raid on Wednesday after investigating the club for months. During the investigation, undercover officers posed as club customers and allege that the club was in fact engaged in prostitution. The club’s manager, Robert Barry Dillard, was arrested for keeping a place of prostitution. A 20-year-old employee was also arrested for possessing amphetamines, marijuana and sedatives.
Authorities are also expanding their investigation to include club ownership and management. The club’s owner, Emanuel Isaacs, has been in the adult entertainment business for decades and has owned clubs in both Athens and Atlanta. Isaacs, who is now 85, was convicted in 1982 of bombing a competing Atlanta strip club. He also owned a Fantasy World located in Winder which shut down four years ago after three people were charged with prostitution.
The penalties can be severe. Under Georgia law, the offense of keeping a place of prostitution is a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature which can carry a year in jail. Authorities may also elect to charge management and ownership under Georgia’s racketeering statute (commonly known as RICO). Racketeering carries a 5 to 20 year sentence along with a possible $25,000 fine.
