Duncanville's war on swingers continues

The city of Duncanville has raised the stakes in its ongoing war on swingers.

Duncanville police have again arrested the owners of the Cherry Pit, who host swingers' parties at their home.

Jim Trulock, 59, and Julie M. Norris, 30, have been arrested on suspicion of engaging in organized criminal activity. The first-degree felony carries a penalty from five to 99 years or life in prison and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

[...]

Duncanville Detective Dan Hunt said in a news release Friday that additional arrests will be made.

Okay, look, for all the jokes I've made about this case, I get that the Cherry Pit could be a big nuisance in the neighborhood, and I understand why the city wants to shut it down. But felony charges that could result in life imprisonment? Isn't that maybe just a tad bit excessive? I'm sorry, but I don't see how this is an appropriate response to their actions.

The couple have a Duncanville municipal trial date set for Oct. 27 on several citations issued for violating the [recently passed ordinance banning sexually oriented businesses]. They also have a civil case pending against the city that challenges the ordinance.

Last month, the Duncanville couple were arrested on suspicion of violating the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code for allegedly possessing large amounts of liquor in their home.

So they've been cited for violating the anti-SOB ordinance, they've been busted for possessing too much booze (and who knew that was a crime? Fraternities across the state should be worried about that), and now they're facing what sounds like racketeering charges. I have to say, I'm getting a bit of a sense of desperation here.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on October 08, 2008 to The great state of Texas