Adult stores warned of obscenity law in Idaho

TWIN FALLS, Idaho – Adult store owners in southern Idaho were baffled after police sent letters reminding them that the distribution of “obscene materials” is banned under state law.

Lena Johnson, who owns Enchantress in Twin Falls, said she found the letter, which does not define which of her store items are considered obscene under state law, to be vague.

“I don’t have the slightest idea of what this is about,” Johnson told the Times-News. “We try to do everything within the law to make sure we’re doing things right.”

Her storefront has a lingerie-clad mannequin and a neon-green sign that tells patrons they must be 18 or older, with ID to prove their age, to enter. It was among three businesses police warned last week in response to complaints from the community, Police Lt. Craig Stotts said.

The letters directed the businesses to check their inventories for potential violations of the Idaho code.

“They may not know or realize that some of their inventory may fit into this code. We are asking them to take steps to check their inventory and take steps to comply,” Stotts said.

Police could not point out specifically which items in the three stores were found in violation of the law.

“That’s something we’ll have to answer once we have a true understanding of what their inventory consists of and what’s in the code,” Stotts said.

Allen Nagel, owner of the Smoke-N-Head, was frustrated with the lack of specifics in the letter.

“So do I get rid of half of inventory and hope that’s what it is?” Nagel said.