Charges against strippers arrested with Stormy Daniels dropped, report says

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Update 5:30 EDT July 18: The charges against the two strippers arrested with adult film star Stormy Daniels last week in Columbus, Ohio, have been dropped, according to BuzzFeed News.

Brittany Walters and Miranda Panda were taken into custody along with Daniels early last Thursday at the Sirens Gentleman’s Club.

Daniels, who was charged with three counts of illegal sexual oriented activity in a sexually oriented business, was released hours later, but the other two remained jailed on charges related to a 2007 state law that prohibits anyone who isn’t a family member from touching a nude or semi-nude performer, according to The Associated Press.

In Daniels’ case, officials noted in a motion to dismiss the charges that the law applies only to regular performers.

Police said at the time that the arrests of Daniels, Walters and Panda were  "part of a long-term investigation into allegations of human trafficking, prostitution, along with other vice-related violations,” but a Columbus judge, in dismissing the charges against Daniels, said her arrest was a “mistake.”

The charges against Walters and Panda were dropped Wednesday because the facts of the case "do not meet the elements required to prosecute under this law," Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein said in a statement.

Original story)

Prosecutors dropped charges against adult film star Stormy Daniels, also known as Stephanie Clifford, after she was arrested early Thursday on accusations of inappropriate touching while performing at a strip club in Columbus.

Here are the latest updates:

Update 7:30 p.m. EDT July 12: Stormy Daniels has changed her plans and won't return for an encore performance at a strip club in Columbus where she was arrested early Thursday.

Her lawyer Michael Avenatti says the adult performer is looking for another club in the area where she can perform.

Daniels was arrested early Thursday on charges she let customers at the Sirens Gentleman’s Club touch her inappropriately, which is against the law in Ohio at an adult club.

Update 7:00 p.m. EDT July 12: The show must go on. Stormy Daniels is returning to the Sirens Gentleman's Club in Columbus, Ohio, Thursday night for a follow-up show.

The adult film star was arrested after a performance at the club early Thursday on three misdemeanor counts of illegal sexual oriented activity. The charges were later dropped.

"I'll be going onstage tonight at Sirens in Columbus to perform for my fans and register voters as planned. Can't stop the storm," Daniels tweeted Thursday afternoon.

She also said she'll donate her tips from Thursday night's performance to two other dancers who were also arrested, but are still facing charges in the case.

Update 3:10 p.m. EDT July 12: Daniels' attorney, Michael Avenatti, told The Associated Press that his client was "traumatized and rattled" after her arrest. He earlier told MSNBC that female undercover police officers asked if they could put their faces between Daniels' breasts while she was performing on-stage at Sirens Gentleman's Club in Columbus.

Avenatti told the AP that Daniels was in her tour bus after Wednesday night's performance when officers knocked on her door. She was arrested on three counts of illegal sexual oriented activity in a sexually oriented business, but the charges were later dropped after prosecutors determined she was working as a guest at the club and not a regular performer. State law prohibits anyone who isn't a family member from touching a nude or semi-nude regular dancer at adult establishments, according to The Associated Press.

Update 1:30 p.m. EDT July 12: Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein confirmed in a statement Thursday that charges have been dismissed against Daniels following her arrest at Sirens Gentleman's Club.

Daniels was arrested on three misdemeanor counts of illegal sexual oriented activity in a sexually oriented business. Two other performers, identified by police as Miranda Panda and Brittany Walters, were also arrested.

"I've determined that these crimes were not committed, based on the fact that Ms. Clifford has not made regular appearances at this establishment as required under the law," Klein said. "We'll do the same inquiry for the other defendants involved, as well."

Update 12:55 p.m. EDT July 12: Daniels' attorney confirmed Thursday afternoon that charges were dropped against his client.

Police arrested Daniels early Thursday while she was appearing at Sirens Gentleman's Club in Columbus. She was arrested after she inappropriately touched undercover officers who were at the strip club as part of a long-term sting operation unrelated to Daniels, according to police. She was charged with three counts of illegal sexual oriented activity in a sexually oriented business.

The charges were based on a 2007 Ohio law that prohibits anyone who isn't a family member from touching a nude or semi-nude dancer, according to The Associated Press. However, officials noted in a motion to dismiss the case that the law applies only to regular performers

"In this case, there has been no evidence provided to the State that Defendant appears or has appeared regularly at Sirens," Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein wrote in the state's motion to dismiss.

Daniels was scheduled to appear twice at Sirens, on Wednesday and Thursday night. However, Avenatti announced her second scheduled appearance had been canceled in light of her arrest.

Update 11:10 a.m. EDT July 12: The state law used early Thursday to justify the arrest of Daniels and two other performers at Sirens, a strip club in Columbus, has been used 88 times in Franklin County since 2008, WCMH reported.

The 2007 law was introduced by a conservative religious group and bars dancers from touching customers and vice versa, save for immediate family members, The Associated Press reported. Police said Daniels was charged with three counts of illegal sexually oriented activity in a sexually oriented business as part of a long-term investigation of alleged human trafficking and prostitution in Columbus.

A spokeswoman for Columbus' city attorney told the AP that the charges carry a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine per count, should Daniels be convicted.

Update 10:45 a.m. EDT July 12: Police said they arrested Daniels and two other performers early Thursday at Sirens in Columbus "as part of a long-term investigation into allegations of human trafficking, prostitution, along with other vice related violations."

In a news release Thursday, officials said Daniels, also known as Stephanie Clifford, was arrested along with Miranda Panda, of Marion, Ohio, and Brittany Walters, of Pickering, Ohio.

Daniels' attorney, Michael Avenatti, said she will plead not guilty to three misdemeanor counts of illegal sexually oriented activity in a sexually oriented business. In an appearance Thursday morning on MSNBC, Avenatti characterized his client's arrest as being part of a "sting operation."

Update 10 a.m. EDT July 12: Daniels' attorney, Michael Avenatti, told MSNBC on Thursday that female undercover officers asked his client to allow them to put their faces between her breasts before her arrest in Columbus on Thursday.

"Unbeknownst to her, the police had set up a sting operation in the strip club with multiple officers," Avenatti said. "I think it's an absurd use of law enforcement resources."

Update 7:38 a.m. EDT July 12: Daniels issued a statement saying her Thursday performance in Columbus has been canceled.

Meanwhile, WSYX's Mike McCarthy tweeted that police also arrested two other performers on illegal touching charges at the Sirens strip club overnight.

Update 6:52 a.m. EDT July 12: Daniels' attorney, Michael Avenatti, tweeted that his client will plead "not guilty" to the charges.

Update 6:41 a.m. EDT July 12: WSYX's Mike McCarthy reports that Daniels was released from jail on $6,000 bond.

WCMH reporter Matt Edwards tweeted that "Daniels was picked up minutes ago by a sedan with WV plates."

Update 6:03 a.m. EDT July 12: WCMH reporter Hattie Hawks tweeted that Daniels' "bond has been posted by Denver Nicks."

Update 5:49 a.m. EDT July 12: The charging documents reveal more information about the allegations against Daniels.

>> See an image of the complaint here (WARNING: Discretion advised.)

Update 5:16 a.m. EDT July 12: WSYX's Mike McCarthy tweeted that Daniels "is accused of touching three @ColumbusPolice officers during her appearance at #Sirens."

According to WBNS, Daniels fondled patrons and undercover officers, police said.

Daniels' attorney, Michael Avenatti, told WBNS that his client's arrest "was politically motivated."

He added: “There's no question these officers were undercover at that strip club. They knew my client would be performing there, and I find this to be a complete waste of resources.”

WBNS reporter Tino Ramos also shared a video of Daniels walking into the Jackson Pike Correctional Facility.

Update 4:33 a.m. EDT July 12: WCMH's Matt Edwards just tweeted a photo that appears to show officers leading Daniels into the jail.

Update 4:22 a.m. EDT July 12: WCMH is reporting that Daniels' arraignment is scheduled for Friday morning at Franklin County Municipal Court.

Daniels is being charged with "illegally sexually oriented activity in a sexually oriented business," a first-degree misdemeanor, according to WCMH's Olivia Fecteau.

Meanwhile, comedian Kathy Griffin took to Twitter to call out Columbus area law enforcement.

Update 3:28 a.m. EDT July 12: According to WCMH reporter Olivia Fecteau, Daniels "has not yet been booked into jail." Jail workers said Daniels will be booked at the Franklin County Correctional Facility II on Jackson Pike, Fecteau tweeted.

Update 2:52 a.m. EDT July 12: Daniels was performing at a club called Sirens when she was arrested, WCMH reporter Olivia Fecteau tweeted early Thursday. When Fecteau called the club, the person on the line declined to comment, she said.

According to Fecteau, "Ohio Revised Code 2907.40 outlines charges against either a patron who touches an employee (or vice versa) who is nude or semi-nude. Depending on what happened, the charge can be a first- or fourth-degree misdemeanor."

Original report: Porn star Stormy Daniels has been arrested in Columbus, Ohio, her attorney tweeted early Thursday.

"Just rcvd word that my client @StormyDaniels was arrested in Columbus Ohio [while] performing the same act she has performed across the nation at nearly a hundred strip clubs," wrote Michael Avenatti, Daniels' lawyer. "This was a setup & politically motivated. It reeks of desperation. We will fight all bogus charges. #Basta."

>> Read more trending news

In a second tweet, he added: "She was arrested for allegedly allowing a customer to touch her while on stage in a non sexual manner! Are you kidding me? They are devoting law enforcement resources to sting operations for this? There has to be higher priorities!!! #SetUp #Basta."

He continued: "We expect her to be released on bail shortly. We also expect that she will be charged with a misdemeanor for allowing 'touching.' We will vehemently contest all charges. #Basta."

Daniels, born Stephanie Clifford, claims that she had sex with Donald Trump in 2006, more than a decade before he became president. Daniels is now suing Trump and his former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, and seeking to invalidate a nondisclosure agreement that she signed days before the 2016 presidential election. Cohen reportedly paid her $130,000 after she signed the agreement.

– The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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