State v. Taylor (1990)

In State v. Taylor (1990) 167 Ariz. 429, undercover officers investigated activities at the Ellwest Stereo Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona, which " 'caters to the sexual fantasies of the desperate.' " Taylor, supra, 808 P.2d 314, 315. Ellwest contained film booths with graphically sexual movies and an arena where "dancers" displayed and fondled their vaginas and breasts. Additionally, the theatre offered shows in a closet-sized booth which had "a clear glass window, a telephone, a trash can for used tissues, one coin slot for tokens, and a larger slot for bills." Taylor, supra, 808 P.2d 314, 315. Customers could view nude dancers from a distance of two feet through the window. A dancer advised a customer by phone that she would perform for a tip of $ 20. A customer could engage other women in sex acts for an additional $ 20 for each person. Taylor, supra, 808 P.2d 314, 315-316. One of the dancers, who was also the manager of Ellwest, was convicted of four prostitution-related crimes. Taylor, supra, 808 P.2d 314, 316. The Arizona appellate court affirmed the defendant's convictions because the Arizona statute "does not require sexual contact with the customer; it was written sufficiently broadly to encompass a sexual transaction for a customer who engages only as voyeur." Taylor, supra, 808 P.2d 314, 316.