Owner Of Desperado’s Arrested In Federal Raid

CARENCRO, La. (KPEL) -- 54-year-old James "Jim" Panos, the owner/operator of Desperado's Gentleman's Cabaret on the Evangeline Thruway in Carencro was arrested Wednesday during a federal raid of the business.

U.S. Attorney Stephanie Finley says Panos of Broussard was arrested on a federal complaint, charging him with maintaining a drug-involved premises. He's being held in the St. Martin Parish. Finley says "the investigation is ongoing."

Some of the other people arrested in the sting included 46-year-old Jennifer Panos of Broussard on a drug charge, 30-year-old Crystal Sampy of Lafayette and 27-year-old Tanja Lynn Clavier of Lafayette on numerous drug charges, 28-year-old Heather Marie Kelley of Breaux Bridge on numerous drug charges and prostitution, 39-year-old Louris Geri Lenoir of Carencro for committing prohibited acts and drug possession, 30-year-old Brian Sampy of Lafayette on active arrest warrants and 51-year-old Michael Jude Broussard of Scott on a bench warrant.

Federal authorities, as well as the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office, were at Desperado's throughout the day Wednesday, closing the frontage road during the investigation. The strip club has since been closed.

KPEL was the first news outlet to report that James "Jim" Panos was arrested.