Police Bust "Sex Fest" in Campbell County

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Posted: 11:45 PM Nov 8, 2008
Last Updated: 8:40 AM Nov 10, 2008
Reporter: Mike McCarthy
Email Address: mike.mccarthy@wvlt-tv.com

50 comments

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Knoxville, TENN. (WVLT) -- Sex and drugs. Campbell County authorities say both have been going on at an adult bookstore along I-75. Only Volunteer T-V was there as officers moved to stop it Saturday night.

Caryville Police Chief Bill Widener says his office has recieved complaints about Adult World for about a year. Now he says they had the information to make their move.

Some of the information in this report is extremely graphic.

Campbell County and state law enforcement officers busted what they call a meet-and-greet "Sex Fest." They say it's all taken place at the red lights of Adult World along I-75.

Chief Widener describes the activity as, "Man on man. We don't know about men and women."

Widener says he sent in an officer undercover last weekend. He says that officer found,"Masterbation on the theater side and oral sex and sodomy stuff on the other side."

The signs on the private movie viewing booths in the Adult Arcade read "No sexual activity." But Chief Widener says it's where most of the action happened.

"It's against our city ordinances to openly have sex anwhere other than home, or in the privacy of yourself, but people can come in and see this, watching other people have sex," Widener said.

Widener says at least 35 visitors were here during last week's investigation.

Some of those cuffed tonight insist innonence.

"I was here with my girlfriend and we were just watching the movie in the theater. That's it. No sex? No sir," one of the arrested men said.

Adult World's shift managers also denies anything illegal.

"You'll have to talk to the owners. That's all I"m saying," said the shift manager, who refused to give her name.

Volunteer T-V's quick search on the internet personal ads on Craigslist found listing for people looking for everything from a good time to sex at the store.

Caryville Police haven't said how many were arrested at Saturday night's bust. Chief Widener says his undercover officer also found drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, and meth last week. Officers searched for drugs this time, but there's been no word on what they found, if anything.

Chief Widener says police has revoked Adult Worlds' license. LaFollette Police, The Campbell County Sheriff's Office, Jacksboro Police, and The Tennessee Highway Patrol also helped in the raid.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Mike Location: Lafollete on Dec 4, 2008 at 06:57 PM
Do you all really think there are no gay people around here? What do you think they will do when this place is no longer around? I think its time this county woke up and realized that as much as they would still like to censor the world from their poor fragile christian eyes its not gonna happen. The real world is getting harder and harder to avoid. Its time we stopped looking like a bunch of backwoods fools. I dont agree with gays and have no use for it but the fact of the matter is all you people are doing is making us all look like a bunch of bible beating fools.

Posted by: Walter Location: Knoxville on Dec 4, 2008 at 06:43 PM
When are taxpayers going to quit letting these local good ole boys use your tax dollars on such bs. Dont you find it a little suspicious even that all they found was man-on-man sex? I've been there and its not only men but I think they thought this would drum up more support from the local community. At some point we have to get a handle on these local politicians and police officers and stop letting them do as they please. Protect and serve not protect and while your at it serve your own agenda. Ridiculous. But reading some of these comments i can see how they get by with it. Get with the program and move into the 21st century or Tennesse and the country as a whole is gonna go down the tubes as antiquated and unable to cope with modern society. And why do we never hear of any man-on-woman busts? I mean I am sure no good law abiding straight couples ever have sex in the woods or at the lake. Unreal.

Posted by: Susan Location: Bates on Nov 26, 2008 at 05:39 AM
Sounds like the sheriff, police and TN patrol have nothing better to do. Meanwhile, there are rapes, theft, and drunk drivers about.

Posted by: Lee Location: UK on Nov 20, 2008 at 02:46 AM
To Astonished from near here and all the others who quote god.... get a life and get your head out of the bible.. God created everything and everyone.. he has a grand design for the whole universe and the peole contained therein... that means he designed the Gay people of the world, he designed the entrepeneurs of the adult entertainment world, he designed the owners of the sex arcades and the businesses they run.. How do you know that you, the god fearing bible bashing soul destroying ones, are not the ones going against Gods plan... Maybe when you yourselves are waiting at the gates of hell for your crimes of hate and persecution, will see the error of your ways............

Posted by: Astonished Location: Near Here, TN on Nov 13, 2008 at 09:44 PM
So...because their gay that gives them the right to go to a public place and do this??? I must be misunderstanding something, because surely that's not what you're insinuating?? So is it "legal" for "consenting adults" to go in a dressing room in JCPenneys and have sex? It's the same difference. So where do our rights come in? An adult store is a place for you to get what you want and take HOME to do PRIVATELY, not in a place where anyone can come in and see...I find this VERY OFFENSIVE!!! You all need to be ashamed of yourself and do some major praying for your souls. May God bless you, you need it.

Posted by: campbell County at it's best Location: clinton on Nov 13, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Hey: You have got to love Campbell County , there is not much to do up their in those Mt. Those that were busted were from Knoxville I have worked with a few in the past.I feel for the families of those who had their picture posted, what a disgrace. But If you are going into these places you take the change of hurting your love ones.

Posted by: 2921 Location: knoxville on Nov 13, 2008 at 12:12 PM
badboys bad boys what you gonna do when we come 4 you

Posted by: JB Location: Tennessee on Nov 12, 2008 at 10:35 PM
To the anonymous poster who stated "i will do every thing in my power to shut you down", why hide behind an anonymous post? Grow a pair and make yourself known. Hope you have the financial resources to go up against the owners/customers of Adult World. Dreama Dolin doesn't have much, but I guarantee a lawsuit or 2 will keep her broke for life!

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 12, 2008 at 10:13 PM
In Canada the supreme court ruled that sex between consenting adults is legal behind any closed door as long as no one is getting hurt. Why is sex, a natural thing enjoyed by billions, completly legal in one building but not in another. Everyone knows this is happening in Adult book stores all over the world. Why do we care? If it is such a crime make sex illegal ever were and out law adult book stores. No wonder Senator Craig had to hang out in washrooms. We need to get our laws up to date with the rest of the world. It's not the 1800 anymore. Another fine example of our tax dollars at work.

Posted by: Rick Location: In the REAL world on Nov 12, 2008 at 10:05 PM
Let me re-emphasize something stated several times...these are CONSENTING ADULTS in an ADULTS ONLY business. "Sex only in private homes??" Give me a break! If the police are that hard-up for headlines about "solving crime" why not have them spend more time actually patrolling neighborhoods and preventing real crimes like burglary, DUI and street racers---the ones where an innocent victim can really be hurt. As for the TV station and their "exclusive" coverage, your time would be better spent focusing on the underpaid school teacher that spends 40 non-paid hours per week preparing lesson plans and grading papers and generally recovering from 8 hrs per day with your snot-nosed obnoxious children.

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 12, 2008 at 09:08 PM
just take your kids down there and tell them it's alright to be down there because when they grow up that where they are going open your eyes and see what going on

Posted by: Allen Location: Oak Ridge on Nov 12, 2008 at 06:37 PM
The report said "an undercover officer was sent in last week". Uh....hopefully his cover didn't get blown!! LOL.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: mom with kids on Nov 12, 2008 at 06:12 PM
the perverts have to travel through your town to get that god forsaken place and you still want it open god have mercy on your souls

Posted by: Anonymous Location: in your face on Nov 12, 2008 at 06:06 PM
sounds to me like dreama, like many other americans, got her hours cut. due to her negitive reaction to that it all went down hill from there. making false claims. isnt it a crime to make a false police report? they didnt go after adult world because of the sexual content of its walls. they went there because of drug related claims. they came up empty handed. none of the alligations were true. dreama should be arrested for making a false claim, enducing panic and should be finding her self in civil court for all the incoviences she has caused. what a mess she has caused. she should be ashamed of herself,lol. im sure she will never live this one down....she has marked herself as a liar and a bigot. she should have just used that energy to move on and find a new job, like the rest of us...

Posted by: Anonymous Location: tn on Nov 12, 2008 at 05:57 PM
i will do every thing in my power to shut you down

Posted by: Donny Location: Right here on Nov 12, 2008 at 05:10 PM
I'm so glad our taxes dollars are being used to stop such horrid lawbreakers! Imagine adults having consensual sex outside their bedrooms...gasp!! Good thing the police didn't spend their time and OUR resources tracking down murders, rapist, drug dealers, drunk drivers, ect...ect. And kudos to Volunteer TV on breaking SUCH an important story. No doubt the awards will just roll into your newsroom with outstanding journalism like this. Seriously people don't we have more pressing issues than this to deal with? Very sad all the way around in my opinion.

Posted by: Brad Location: Los Angeles on Nov 12, 2008 at 04:58 PM
Consenting adults should be free to practice sexuality as they please, within the confines of a private business. Of course, they should take precautions, and the action should be kept out of the surrounding neighborhood. A closed booth in an adult bookstore is NOT a public space. What's next, busting people in hotel rooms? The laws need to be changed!

Posted by: craig Location: canada on Nov 12, 2008 at 04:07 PM
Geez i dont even think that our police waste this much time and effort on ABS`s. Some people should really get a life! If you dont want to see it dont go in!!!

Posted by: tbirdman3 Location: California on Nov 12, 2008 at 01:26 PM
let's close down all adult bookstores so the people that go to them are forced to go to public toilets and public places such as parks so your children will have a better chance to see the action, or we can keep your children out of harms way by keeping these place open.

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 12, 2008 at 01:18 PM
Aint it against the law to own a business in one state and collect full benifits from social services in Kentucky frank and dianne Philpot

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 12, 2008 at 01:02 PM
TOO MANY CLOSETCASES DREAMA DID THE RIGHT THING

Posted by: chuck Location: nashville on Nov 12, 2008 at 09:56 AM
don't the police have more intense crime to solve, especially in a place like knoxville. lots of violent crime there. go after them. of course that takes courage. these people were having sex in front of others having sex. how can that be offensive or illegal. i bet there have been some police officers having fun in there too. get your priorities in order

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Iowa on Nov 12, 2008 at 09:28 AM
It apears that the local people there live double standards, they don't like the Adult World business, but then they do comments on a adult web site.

Posted by: Lee Location: UK on Nov 12, 2008 at 09:22 AM
My God some of you people really haven't moved with the times... gay sex is worldwide just like straight sex.. normal is a non-existent word these days.. aids does kill but is being spread more by hetero (normal) couples than gay... Adam and Eve were the first people created but if God plans everything and has a design, then he created gay people too, probably to keep the population down as the god fearing bible bunch don't know how to keep it in their pants and are overpopulating the world.. the police forces do have better things to do like catch murderers, rapists and theives... or the drug runners/suppliers not the end users who are victims too.. this place was targetted because its near a church, probably cos the minister was refused free entry!!!! some people are so short sighted they can't see past the end of their nose.. u know what the soldiers should come home there is no point in fighting for freedom elsewhere when your own people don't have it.. iraq = manonman

Posted by: Alan Location: Knoxville on Nov 12, 2008 at 06:47 AM
You can't stop people from being people--they will just move it into restrooms or parks or somewhere else. Makes more sense to let them be themselves in a private spot where only consenting adults enter....

Posted by: Ted Location: California on Nov 12, 2008 at 05:32 AM
So What. Let the people be. It's a place for adults. Get over it.

Posted by: Stu on Nov 12, 2008 at 03:39 AM
Oh come on! They are consenting adults, so what is the problem? It is this sort of thing that makes the rest of the world think America is full of small minded bigots. The irony is that this kind of religious driven intolerance is more akin to that practised in those middle east states that these people hate, than the rest of the civilised world.

Posted by: you idiots! Location: Australia on Nov 12, 2008 at 03:11 AM
no wonder the rest of the world laughs at america! you people are natural born idiots! reading some of the comments posted below you people should be living back in the stone age and clubbing each other with big sticks. for god's sake get a life and let people live their lives. and remember you good god faring christian folk.. you have started more wars in the name of christianity than you have prevented! look at good old george dub ya! DOH!

Posted by: America 1st on Nov 11, 2008 at 10:39 PM
LMAO

Posted by: Getalife Location: Salt Lake City on Nov 11, 2008 at 10:35 PM
Err, don't the police have something BETTER to do? Who cares if these people were having sex in there. It's not as if it was in front of CHILDREN or out in the OPEN. It was an ADULT bookstore - you EXPECT there to be sex in there. As for 'not in our town's comment - Are you 12? They are some of the most inane comments made such as: "If a man was born gay then he's a homosexual and not a man?". You obviously don't know the difference between GENDER and SEXUALITY. Leave these people alone. Sheesh.

Posted by: bob on Nov 11, 2008 at 10:29 PM
who cares they are consenting adults

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 11, 2008 at 10:06 PM
my bet is that someone stopped making their "contributions" to the local authorities. Remember all of the asian massage parlors there used to be around here....now there's just a few. Someone must have paid extra for those to stay open.

Posted by: FREEDOMS Location: USA on Nov 11, 2008 at 08:44 PM
You know I see and hear all of these different comments about this so called sex fest and wander, arent our troops fighting for this right to? Why is it that just because you may not like this business you should shut it down. All of our freedoms are the rock that keeps this country going. You might want to consider that before you make a judgement about us . Because the next right they take away could be yours.

Posted by: Bobba Location: Job on Nov 11, 2008 at 06:51 PM
How can anyone make a "complaint" about the goings on in the store unless they have first hand experience. Sounds like an excuse to me. America is so screwed up. Consenting Adults having sex in place where it would be IMPOSSIBLE to offend any onlookers. Even with our rubbish sex laws here in the UK, this would still be classified as a private location and be perfectly legal as it is not acting as a brothel. Seems like an excuse for some bible bashing, attention seeking chief of police to nab himself some evil

Posted by: Charles Location: Washington, DC on Nov 11, 2008 at 06:15 PM
TEnnessee Klu Klux Klan country. Must be an election coming soon.

Posted by: yourtown on Nov 11, 2008 at 04:54 PM
come on people, gay sex is everywhere. these commenters act like they just woke up. free speech, free will and a whole lot of mind your own buisness. adult world is just like every other buisness. supply and demand. do you think they would still be open if there wasnt money in the indrustry. it also brings alot of people into that podunk town. horney people need gas and cigs to. so before you complain, what are you doing that not everyone would agree with???????

Posted by: Lee Location: LaFollette on Nov 11, 2008 at 01:10 PM
I always go there to hook up! its hot!

Posted by: shocked,butnotreally Location: everywhereigo on Nov 10, 2008 at 10:39 PM
This is absolutely disgusting. Odor reallly offends me, i dont see how these people do this, I am pleased it was stopped, but like always, evil will take up abode somewhere else

Posted by: not in our town! Location: knoxville on Nov 10, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Homosexuality is a problem that I see more and more everyday and now I have a couple questions from watching this sex fest going on in our area: can a person naturally be born gay? or can a person be normal but later turns gay for unknown reasons? The reason why I ask is because in California gay couples want to get married but normal people who are not homosexual can not understand why because God created Adam and Eve and not Adam and Steve? if a man was born gay then he's a homosexual and not a man? I'm so confused!!!!!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 10, 2008 at 04:43 PM
AIDS KILLS!!

Posted by: pepper Location: knox on Nov 10, 2008 at 06:19 AM
A friend of mine said that was a good place to buy a rabit

Posted by: dont want to say Location: ky on Nov 10, 2008 at 12:13 AM
i know this is very true. about 4 yrs ago i had a gay friend that always wanted to be dropped off there for sex with others. he says all u have to do is go in and wait until another comes in.

Posted by: Bubba Location: Chappaqua on Nov 9, 2008 at 09:50 PM
Sounds like a great place for an NBA franchise.

Posted by: East Tennessee Location: Citizen on Nov 9, 2008 at 09:31 PM
The police chief received complaints? This is the statement that's always used when the police want to look like the hero. The drug statements were just tossed in to make them sound like more of a hero. From what the story explains, the only people that would have "complained" were customers IN the store. The good religious people in the county surly weren't going IN the store. Wait ... were they just upset they weren't getting any action?

Posted by: Lee Location: LaFollette on Nov 9, 2008 at 09:05 PM
Hopefully this will be the end of this place!!!

Posted by: Meow Location: Scott County on Nov 9, 2008 at 07:58 PM
I am glad that they have closed this place down. I have heard for awhile now that gay sex has been going on at that place.

Posted by: wally Location: white pine on Nov 9, 2008 at 07:06 PM
sounds like a witch hunt to me

Posted by: Phillip Location: Cumberland County on Nov 9, 2008 at 09:00 AM
I'm surprised the neighbors haven't torched the place before now. While it's closed, this would be a good time for a big nieghborhood bonfire.

Posted by: CJ Location: Somewhere in Maryville, TN on Nov 9, 2008 at 01:24 AM
what a bunch of losers!

Posted by: 22 Location: rifle on Nov 9, 2008 at 12:29 AM
Most of the people arrested said they were from the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka.

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