Federal Judge Find Va. County Wrongfully Targeted Strip Clubs

MARTINSBURG, Va. — A Virginia strip club owner prevailed in federal court over a county ordinance that prohibited adult businesses from setting up shop, according to report.

According to an article in the Martinsburg Journal-News, Troy Erickson opened a strip club called Ridgeley Saloon in 2001. Three years later, Mineral County officials passed a law making it illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to be in or on the premises of that type of establishment when it was open for business.

In 2004, Erickson was ordered to shut down after undercover sheriff’s deputies accompanied two 20-year-olds into his club. Erickson subsequently took the county to federal court, where he claimed his constitutional rights were violated by the county's action.

In August, U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey sided with Erickson, writing in his opinion that the county overstepped its authority.

"Nude dancing is expressive conduct protected by the First Amendment," Bailey wrote, according to the report, conceding that it may be considered to fall "only within the outer ambit of free speech protection."

Bailey also reaffirmed that the First Amendment "protects the rights of persons over the age of 17 to view non-obscene, sexually explicit material."

The judge also agreed that Erickson's due process rights — guaranteed by the 14th Amendment — were infringed, because county officials “just shut us down without an appeal process," Erickson said in the report.

Erickson argued the county officials unfairly targeted strip clubs with their actions, and "basically were saying we're not going to let you do what you do because we don't like you. Although at the same time, they didn't make the stores take the porn off their shelves, so we were very much of a target.”

Erickson has since reopened the Ridgeley Saloon as Legz Gold — after it was closed for 18 months — and last week held a conference call to discuss how much he would be awarded in damages.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Lovehoney Group, Beacon Wellness Settle Canadian Patent Dispute

Lovehoney Group and Beacon Wellness have settled a patent dispute over the latter's sale of a product called the Air Pulsing Arouser in Canada.

Uncover Creations, Sinnovator Sign Distro Deal With Eagle Leather

Pleasure brands Uncover Creations and Sinnovator have inked a distribution deal with Eagle Leather for Australian distribution.

ProDx Health Introduces 'Alpha Male' Test

ProDx Health has introduced its new Alpha Male Home Collection Kit.

FSC: Missouri Age Verification Rule Will Not Take Effect August 30

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) announced that Missouri's proposed age verification legislation will not take effect on August 30, as it had originally estimated.

Alex Fine Details Her Journey as Dame CEO, Pleasure Activist

Alex Fine’s venture into the world of sextech began with a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Columbia University. Her original goal was to become a sex therapist, but in 2014, she recognized a much broader opportunity.

Germany Will Block Payments to AV-Noncompliant Adult Sites as of Dec. 1

Starting Dec. 1, Germany will implement new rules prohibiting financial institutions from providing payment services to adult sites deemed to have inadequate age verification systems and making it easier for the government to target websites mirroring the content of such sites.

Le Wand Introduces 'Dual Stimulation' Vibe Collection

Le Wand has debuted its new Dual Stimulation vibrator line.

FSC Launches Age Verification Toolkit for Adult Websites

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) announced today that it has launched a comprehensive toolkit to help adult websites navigate age verification laws.

Sportsheets Expands 'Peaches 'N CreaMe' BDSM Collection

Sportsheets has introduced 13 new items from its Peaches ‘N CreaMe collection of BDSM products.

Satisfyer Rebrands 'Pro 2 Kiss' Vibe as 'Deep Kiss'

Satisfyer has rebranded its Pro 2 Kiss mini vibe as the Deep Kiss.

Show More