Fla. Store Owner Pleads Not Guilty to Obscenity Charges

BARTOW, Fla. — Minakashiben Patel, the store owner who was arrested this month on obscenity charges in Florida, has pleaded not guilty to obscenity charges.

Patel was charged on 10 counts each of distribution of obscenity and possession of obscenity with intent to sell after detectives purchased adult movies at the Sunoco Superway No. 6 gas station and convenience store she owns in Dundee, Fla.

Titles of the videos that were part of the arrest have not been revealed by Polk County prosecutors.

Adult industry attorney Lawrence Walters, Patel's attorney of record, recently filed court papers in Polk County, stating that she would plead not guilty and seek waiver of personal appearance at arraignment. He also asked the court for a copy of charging documents.

When reached Wednesday, Walters told XBIZ, "I can’t comment on the case yet, only to state that our firm, including our of counsel, Corey Silverstein, has been hired as defense counsel for Ms. Patel."

Patel's arraignment is scheduled for June 11 in Judge Roger Alcott's courtroom.

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

Yee-Haw! 7th Pornhub Awards Bring Out the Industry's Top Cowboys and Cowgirls

One year after a raucous rock ’n' roll celebration at the Whisky a Go Go, the seventh annual Pornhub Awards traded in leather and lace for a Wild West theme that brought the industry’s top cowboys and cowgirls to the historic Saddle Ranch Chop House on Hollywood’s iconic Sunset Strip.

Violet Myers: From Shy Girl to Social Media Queen

Clad in futuristic, form-fitting black, Violet Myers looks like a character from “The Matrix” or the heroine of some “Blade Runner” reboot, trapped in a glowing virtual-reality maze.

Connie Perignon Stars in Latest Episode of 'Raunch' From Adult Time

Connie Perignon stars with 2024 XMAs Male Performer of the Year Zac Wild in the latest installment of Adult Time series “Raunch,” titled “Connie Gets Wild and Squirts.”

TeamSkeet, MYLF Launch FamilyStrokes.com, Release 'Step Sisters'

Sister studios TeamSkeet and MYLF will launch their new website, FamilyStrokes.com, and release the site’s debut feature, “Step Sisters,” on Saturday, May 10.

Ofcom Investigates 2 Adult Sites for AV Noncompliance

U.K. media regulator Ofcom is investigating two adult sites for failure to comply with age assurance requirements under the Online Safety Act, which Ofcom is charged with enforcing.

Williams Trading Launches 2025 'Pride' Promo, Summer Catalog

Williams Trading has launched its 2025 Summer Pride promotion and catalog.

Maria Bella Makes Her TransAngels Debut

Maria Bella has made her TransAngels debut alongside King Noire in “Maria Makes a Splash.”

Jesse Pony Headlines Jonni Darkko's Latest 'Bet Your Ass'

Jesse Pony toplines director Jonni Darkko’s “Bet Your Ass 9,” from Evil Angel.

Remy Woods Makes Her Ricky's Room Debut

Remy Woods has made her Ricky’s Room debut alongside Isiah Maxwell in the studio’s latest release.

2025 Pornhub Awards Winners Announced

Winners of the 2025 Pornhub Awards were announced at a live event last night at Saddle Ranch Chop House in Hollywood.

Show More