Agents Discover Owner's 14-Year-Old Son Working At Miami Strip Club

Lacie Lowry, News On 6

MIAMI, Oklahoma -- A sting targeting underage drinking reveals a shocking surprise.  Agents investigating a strip club in Ottawa County say they saw illegal sex acts, numerous liquor violations -- and a 14-year-old boy working at the club.

This was an investigation by the Alcoholic Beverage Law Enforcement Commission.  Agents now have to forward their report to the Department of Human Services because of the boy.

The sign outside The Body Shop in Miami says it's a gentlemen's club.  Agents are more concerned with the boy they found working here.

"It was kind of shocking," said Erik Smoot, an agent with the ABLE Commission.

Erik Smoot was one of the undercover agents that night.

"It's not an environment that even a boy wants to work in.  He's working until two in the morning.  He goes to school; he sees what nobody should see at 14.

The boy is the son of the club owner, Tammie Pennel.  She was arrested last Friday on charges of selling alcohol to people who were already drunk, allowing drunks to stay on the property, allowing someone under the age of 21 to stay in the bar area and allowing simulated sex acts at the club.

Investigators aren't sure what the boy's job was. They say he wasn't serving drinks, but he was behind the bar often.

"He worked an area where he saw everything that everybody else saw, and that was a routine to him, he said - that was something that he does on a regular basis.  So we are very glad we went in there," Smoot said.

Pennel would not go on camera but told us the claims are bogus, and she is fighting the charges.  She has not been charged in relation to her 14-year-old son.

"The sad thing is, he said to us 'My mom makes me work there,'" said Agent Erik Smoot with the Alcoholic Beverage Law Enforcement Commission. "So there's a DHS case now pending based on that."

Agents say they also plan to file charges against the business on top of the criminal charges they have already filed against Tammie Pennel.

That could result in The Body Shop losing its liquor license.

ABLE either arrested or cited the following people at The Body Shop:

Club owner Tammie Pennel, age 40, arrested for sale of alcoholic beverages to an intoxicated person; allow persons under 21 to remain in the designated bar area, allow intoxicated person to remain on the licensed premise, allow nudity/acts or simulated sex acts.

Jessica Crosby, 19, arrested for furnishing alcoholic beverages to an intoxicated person (2 counts).

Kristy Benton, 32, citation issued for performance of simulated or sex acts.

Veleda Decatur, 18, citation issued for performance of simulated or sex acts.

Cameron Compton, 24, arrested for public intoxication.

Mack Fransen, 25, arrested for public intoxication.

Kyle Gray, 49, arrested for public intoxication.

Levi Hallett, 24, arrested for public intoxication.

Bobby Hurn, 56, arrested for public intoxication.

Terry Hurn, 49, arrested for public intoxication.

Gage Lahey, 20, arrested for public intoxication, unlawful entry in to a designated bar area, minor in possession of alcoholic beverages and obstructing a police officer.

Jesie Mitzel, 30, citation issued for performance of simulated or sex acts.

Candice Nenneman, 24, cited for performance of simulated or sex acts.

Eric Stampfli, 23, arrested for public intoxication.