An adult bookstore in Horse Cave has been permanently closed after a three year investigation by the Hart County Sheriff’s Office and Greater Hardin County Narcotics Task Force showed drug use, sexual activity and other illegal acts were taking place at the business.
According to the Hart County Sheriff’s Office, the Horse Cave Adult Bookstore (formerly known as Jent Factory Outlet Mall) at 845 Flint Ridge Road was closed after a August 31 hearing into illegal activity.
In 2019, Hart County Sheriff Greg Wilson said law enforcement began conducting investigations into illegal activity at the business.
“During this time period, complaints involving persons being intoxicated, persons causing disturbances at other local businesses, physical assaults, and the sale of volatile substances … were investigated,” Wilson said. “The Adult Bookstore was cited for more than thirty violations of ‘permit required to operate a place of entertainment.’
The warrant in that case was issued after an undercover investigation where police found that a volatile substance, popularly known as “poppers,” were being used as an inhalant and being illegally sold at the business. Authorities said the chemicals contain solvents and other substances, including isobutyl nitrite; a room odorizer used as an inhalant to produce a feeling of euphoria. The toxic vapors emitted from the substance causes various side effects, and may lead to death, police said at the time.
Law enforcement also seized methamphetamine and marijuana at the business.
Since the December 2019 raid, “… numerous citations and arrests were made for indecent exposure, resulting from undercover officers entering the establishment and observing persons having sexual contact inside the bookstore during this time,” Wilson said.
During the ongoing investigation into two deaths on bookstore premises, police found that both incidents involved persons “being found in the ‘back room.’”
The sheriff’s office continued its investigation by sending undercover deputies into the bookstore, “which revealed clarification into the ‘back room,’” police said. As a result of the investigation, it was determined that the bookstore would collect money to allow entry into the “back room.”
The “back room” was advertised as a video arcade area, Wilson said, however, these rooms provided various videos of assorted sexual acts, and contained “glory hole” booths (utilized for sexual acts with strangers in an adjacent booth).
Couches and other paraphernalia were provided by the business to promote sexual acts on the premises, Wilson stated.
In 2022, the latest cases against the bookstore and pending district court cases were reviewed by Hart County Attorney Justin Baird.
“Soon after, Hart County Fiscal Court and Judge-Executive Joe Choate updated a county ordinance involving sexually explicit businesses,” Wilson said. “Based upon the Hart County Sheriff’s Office investigation, Hart Fiscal Court authorized Baird to initiate a civil suit against the bookstore, charging the business with Operating a House of Abatement.”
At a hearing on August 31, the owners of the bookstore agreed to a “permanent closure and a deed restriction that prohibits the sale of explicit sexual activity and merchandise,” according to Wilson.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
