Tarrant County says a strip club that's been a hotbed of criminal activity should never have been in business in the first place.
In a letter to Temptations' Houston-based owner, Eric Langan, County Administrator G.K. Maenius says since Temptations is within close proximity to homes and another sexually oriented business, probable cause exists for the revocation of its sexually oriented business permit.
"It is alleged the Permit should not have been issued due to violations of the distance requirements in Section 3.004(b)(1)(c) & (f)," Maenius' letter states. "Specifically, Temptations is located within 1,00 feet of at least thirteen (13) dwellings and another sexually oriented business."
The business is located near Aledo in unincorporated Tarrant County along I-30, just east of the I-20 split.
The letter was written one day after the State of Texas filed suit, seeking to shut the business down for being a nuisance in the community.
Between the start of 2020 and the end of 2022, the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office was called to Temptations 247 times, making 57 arrests in the process.
The calls ran the gamut from capital murder to aggravated assault to drug offenses.
Crime has persisted through the first five months of this year.
"In May, there have been a double stabbing and multiple shootings, with the most recent shooting occurring over Memorial Day weekend," the state's lawsuit says. "In May 2023 alone, there have been at least five instances of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon."
"As District Attorney, I am concerned about the escalation of criminal activities at Temptations Cabaret constituting a nuisance," says Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney Phil Sorrells. "My number one priority is keeping our community safe. Allowing Temptations to continue its operation is counterintuitive to this goal."
"Temptations is a blight on the community as well as all of Tarrant County," said Sheriff Bill Waybourn. "Closing its doors will provide relief to the surrounding area from the criminal element Temptations attracts."
The Tarrant County Sexually Oriented Business Board will hold a hearing on June 21st in the Commissioners Courtroom in the County Administration Building at 100 E. Weatherford St. in Fort Worth.
The board is expected to render its decision at the conclusion of the meeting.
KRLD news contacted Langan by phone; but before explaining the nature of the call, he abruptly said he had no comment.
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