WRJ strippers' spat ends with pair busted
Toolbox
By Josh O'Gorman Rutland Herald - Published: November 20, 2008
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Two strippers are facing assault and theft charges after one allegedly stole another's money.
Shana D. Stevens, 22, of Claremont, N.H., pleaded innocent Tuesday in White River Junction District Court to a misdemeanor charge of simple assault by mutual affray, which carries a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail and $500 fine.
According to an affidavit filed with the court by Officer Dennis Coughlin of the Hartford Police, Coughlin received a complaint from Heather LaBounty, who told Coughlin she had been assaulted Sept. 22 by a coworker at Hardbodies Exotic Gentlemen's Club on Bowling Lane in White River Junction.
LaBounty said she only knew her assailant by her stage name, "Chante," but Coughlin later learned "Chante" was Stevens, police said. When Coughlin questioned Stevens, she said she has been having a problem with her money being stolen and she suspected "Alexis" — LaBounty's stage name — was the one stealing it, court records state.
Stevens reportedly told police she decided to set a trap. She marked a pair of $5 bills and left them in the common dressing room, court records state. When she returned hours later, the money was gone. Stevens said she questioned LaBounty about the stolen money and demanded LaBounty open up her purse, which revealed the stolen fives. Stevens said LaBounty then attacked her, court records state.
LaBounty told police a different story. According to court records, she told Coughlin she came into the dressing room and found a pair of fives beneath her chair. Thinking she had dropped them while sorting through her money earlier in the evening, LaBounty told police she picked them up, records state. Later, Stevens entered the dressing room, looking for $10 she had lost, and LaBounty told Coughlin she immediately handed the bills over, police said.
LaBounty said Stevens then attacked her, punching her in the head and slamming her face into a mirror, court records state.
Kim Sweeney, 37, the front-door bouncer, broke up the fight, and later told police several of the woman suspected LaBounty was stealing from them. Maegan Berry, 23, told police LaBounty had stolen her "booty shorts" — valued at $30 — and wore them around the club as if they belonged to her, court records state.
Amanda Peck — stage name "Mercedes" — told police she knew Stevens had been planting money because of recent thefts, court records state, and LaBounty reportedly told police the bills had been marked with glitter.
Sweeney told police LaBounty has quit and Stevens is suspended from work, according to court records.
Police gave LaBounty a citation to appear Tuesday in White River Junction District Court to answer charges of disorderly conduct and petty larceny.
Contact Josh O'Gorman at josh.ogorman@rutlandherald.com.
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