2 plead no contest over strip-club incident

9/12/2009

Two men involved in an altercation in which undercover police detectives were assaulted entered pleas this week in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

Arturo Martinez, 24, of 2170 Canton Ave. and Raymond Stroud, 17, of Lambertville each pleaded no contest to one count of obstructing official business. They face up to one year in prison when sentenced Oct. 14.

According to Assistant County Prosecutor Michael Bohner, the two men were among several who were leaving Scarlett's strip club in the 5700 block of Telegraph Road on Jan. 25 after attending a bachelor party. Mr. Bohner said one of the men confronted the undercover detectives, who were at the club as part of an investigation, at about 1:40 a.m. in the club's parking lot.

Authorities said that the men assaulted the detectives - including attempting to take one officer's gun and badge - even after they identified themselves as police. The officers were treated for injuries they sustained in the incident.

Nine men were arrested after the incident.

Each was charged with three counts of aggravated robbery and two counts of felonious assault as well as alternate counts of two counts each of robbery and assault.

The felony charges were dismissed against Aaron Frankhouse, 19, of Temperance, and Bryan Pearsall, 36, of Monroe. Charges remain pending against Gustave Leroy, 24, of Kalamazoo; Nicholas Abalos, 21, of Temperance; Andres Abalos, 20, of Erie, Mich.; David Abalos, 24, of Temperance, and Mark Stroud, 19, of Temperance.

If convicted, each faces up to 50 years in prison. They will go to trial Sept. 21.