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Adult Store Indictment Reaction Save Email Print
Staunton, Va.
Posted: 6:11 PM Nov 2, 2007
Last Updated: 9:38 PM Nov 3, 2007
Reporter: Meg Gatto
Email Address: mgatto@whsv.com

A | A | A

The owner of an adult video store in Staunton has been indicted by a grand jury on eight counts of violating the obscenity law. As people around the city comment on the indictments, Commonwealth's Attorney Raymond Robertson defends his actions.

The obscenity law has been in effect in Virginia for more than 30 years. Robertson says, although it’s not often enforced, it is still an important law.

He says, "The obscenity law is that it's illegal to sell, rent, lend or distribute any obscene item or offer to do those things or possess them with the intent to sell them.”

Robertson says After Hours Video has material that he deemed to be obscene. He believes Rick Krial's business is the only one in the city that has such material.

"Mr. Krial comes into town with all sorts of hoopla and fan fare about how he's going to open a store that deals exclusively in what I call hardcore pornography, these triple x videos," says Robertson. "There’s no other store around here that has done that."

Robertson says there is no hidden agenda and disagrees that he is targeting Krial's business.

He says, "There is no selective prosecution whatsoever involved in this. It never came to my attention that there were other places that sold XXX movies in Staunton.”

He wants to make it clear he's not ignoring other crime in the city just to go after an adult video store.

"This case has generated a lot of publicity but it is not a priority in this office." says Robertson. "Right now we're dealing with a double shooting that occurred on Halloween. We're dealing with gangs, we're dealing with drugs and I work hard every day dealing with these situations."

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Posted by: Jim Location: NY on Nov 7, 2007 at 12:58 AM
Wow, what century is this? they still have anti-porn laws in the state that is knows best for incest? Whats next, Blue laws that cover Monday thru Sunday?

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 6, 2007 at 12:03 PM
As long as a business doesn't have blow up dolls and bondage gear in the front windows, I really don't see the problem here. What grown adults want to do watch, read etc. in the privacy of their own homes is their business. Policiticans need to stop trying to legislate morality.

Posted by: Roy Location: USA on Nov 5, 2007 at 07:27 PM
Check your local ISP's log files. You'll find that your community doesn't find adult material that offensive.

Posted by: Chris Location: Richomnd, VA on Nov 5, 2007 at 02:56 PM
If the obscenity law says "it's illegal to sell, rent, lend or distribute any obscene item" then he better go after every internet provider in Staunton, Virginia. And if he doesn't then he is just a hypocrite.

Posted by: m Location: cali on Nov 5, 2007 at 02:03 PM
while i'm worried about the double shootings and drugs around, i'm really glad that that single guy won't be able to entertain himself in private in such naughty ways... for shame. think of all of the kittens. no, you can't have freedom... NOT YOURS!

Posted by: cr0sh Location: Phoenix on Nov 5, 2007 at 01:12 PM
Attorney Raymond Robertson: A vote for him is a vote for the Biggest Douche in the Universe!

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 5, 2007 at 01:03 PM
It's funny how they mention the obscenity law has been on the books for 30 years, but forget to mention that pesky 1st amendment, which as I recall, has been on the books a bit longer. It also doesn't freedom of speech unless its bother someone.

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 4, 2007 at 12:15 PM
Mr. Robertson is doing his job and he is doing it WELL. He doesn't neglect ANY crimes. The "low hanging fruit" is "low life" and we're all against that.

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 4, 2007 at 06:34 AM
Porn shops attract criminal behavior too. You complain about all the crime, so why encourage ANY of it? There are double standards mentioned here.

Posted by: Andrew Location: Staunton on Nov 3, 2007 at 09:54 AM
People are getting shot, drug dealers are operating openly, and we're worried about a video store. Talk about aiming for the "low hanging fruit".

Posted by: M Location: Staunton on Nov 2, 2007 at 11:51 PM
This is b.s. There are other businesses that sell and rent porn in Staunton. Of course you are targeting Krial. The man has to get some publicity it's a business for crying out loud how can he sell his product if no one knows about it. Robertson, your right, you do have a lot of crime going on in the city right now why don't you focus on gangs, shootings, teenagers wearing their seat belts, and the recent water main break and paying the family who's house and car were damaged. I hope you get sued for this legal pandering

Posted by: stevo Location: Grottoes on Nov 2, 2007 at 07:58 PM
Doesn't Backstage Video have XXX-Rated movies? Are they immune because they are in the county and not the city?? They do it right though..you would never guess that they carry this product. Professional and kind employees (at least in Staunton).

Posted by: Poppa Location: Staunton on Nov 2, 2007 at 07:50 PM
Yeah right, of course he's being targeted. The righteous types here in Staunton have been objecting to this store before it ever opened it's doors. They failed to keep it out of town to begin with so now they are doing all they can to put him out of business. The obscenity law is vague about exactly what is considered obscene, and who gets to decide what obscene is anyway? And there are indeed other store in Staunton that sell pornographic materials. There are stores all over Virginia that sell these sorts of materials. Now I guess it's time to shut them all down. If you are going to target one you'd best be going after all of them. I hope he fights this and wins a hefty settlement, enough to enlarge his store! If you don't approve of what a store sells, don't shop there. I like the other article that claims this material leads to increased crime. If anything it keeps people safe at home instead of on the streets getting shot.

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