11 Arrested in Risque Gentlemen’s Club Raid

TAMPA, FL — Tampa Police have announced the arrest of 11 people from communities throughout the region following a lengthy investigation into alleged criminal activity at the Risque gentlemen’s club in Tampa.

According to the agency, its investigation began in October 2015 when the 900 N. Dale Mabry Highway club was known as Ponytails.

“The investigation involved more than 50 separate undercover operations and resulted in two search warrants and several arrest warrants,” a Friday night email from the police department said. “The Gentleman's Club was the scene of multiple illegal drug transactions.”

The first arrest connected to the case was made in Pasco County on Thursday, Dec. 1. Police say the club’s owner, Ioannis Pahoumis, 37, was taken into custody at his home by Pasco authorities.

Others arrested when the raid was staged at 9 p.m. Dec. 1 were:

• Thomas Muzika, 43, Spring Hill
• Hector Lugo, 47, Tampa
• Cherokee Wells, 21, Brandon
• Aryam Gomez, 34, Tampa
• Maria De Leon, 28, Tampa
• Derryle Galiber, 39, Tampa
• Nanci Zipkin, 55, Tampa
• Michelle Brunson, 32, St. Petersburg
• Amanda Wilson, 31, Lakeland
• Jonathan Sallins, 38, Tampa

Those arrested face charges ranging from drug possession to racketeering, the agency said.

“With the various arrests, which included the owner and several employees, the business is essentially closed at this time,” the email added.

The FBI, Drug Enforcement Agency, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Pasco sheriff’s office and other agencies assisted with the investigation.

No further information is available at this time.

Booking photos of Amanda Wilson, Aryam Gomez, Cherokee Wells , Derryle Galiber, Hector Lugo, Jonathan Sallins, Maria DeLeon, Michelle Brunson, Nanci Zipkin and Thomas Muzika courtesy of the Tampa Police Department. A booking photo of Ioannis Pahoumis was not immediately available.