Nashville- Metro police officers padlocked an adult bookstore Tuesday, after a nine-month investigation into open acts of indecency at the downtown Nashville business.
A criminal court ordered the shutdown of House of Thrills, where five undercover detectives said they observed publicly lewd and unsafe sexual acts.
"We're not policing morality," said Metro police Sgt. Tony Blackburn. "But we'll be looking at any public business that allows acts like this."
The padlocking is the latest development in a years-long crackdown by Metro authorities to reduce illegal activity at Nashville-area adult entertainment businesses. Dozens of adult bookstores, massage parlors and strip clubs have been penalized or closed down altogether for various violations, in some cases including prostitution.
Two popular strip clubs were shuttered during the past year for failing to comply with an 18-month-old adult entertainment ordinance. Among other things, the ordinance prohibits exotic dancers from coming within three feet of customers while even partially undressed.
House of Thrills faced closer police scrutiny after it failed a random inspection. About 80 arrests have been made there since October for various sexual offenses.
House of Thrills owner Daniel Robert Piper, also known as Daniel Mevio, was "elusive" during the investigation, police said. He closed his business voluntarily, and detectives said the building's neon signs had been taken down and the inside cleaned by the time they arrived to padlock the doors.
"It was just disgusting," said Sheila Yarbrough, owner of the nearby Laser One Printer Supplies and Services. "We're very happy to see them go."
