Topless-club owner arrested

PANAMA CITY -- The owner of a topless club is in jail on charges stemming from allegedly employing a minor as a dancer.

Joyce Trench Cox, 77-year-old owner of Tan Fannies at 1137 Beck Ave., was arrested Thursday after Panama City police responded to the topless club in April to check on the welfare of an employee. Officers were unable to make contact with the employee in question but were able to establish that she was 16 years old and had been performing at the club, according to police reports.

When investigators contacted Cox about the juvenile’s employment, she told them she didn’t know the girl’s age. Cox told police that if she did she would not have let her fill out an application.

Police reports said Cox told a witness to change their story and to lie to the police.

PCPD arrested Cox Thursday on charges of promotion of sexual performance by a child, employment of a minor under 18 years of age involving nudity and tampering with a witness.

Cox was taken to Bay County Jail for the night, awaiting first appearance for the charges.