Members of Jim Rose Circus Sideshow Ordered Before Texas Judge After Arrest

Two transvestite wrestlers and other members of the Jim Rose Circus Sideshow have been ordered before a judge in Lubbock, Texas, today on charges stemming from a simulated sex act on stage Friday.

But Rose--proprietor of the controversial traveling showcase of the grotesque and bizarre, who was booked in connection with a fracas that followed the arrests--said that neither he nor any of his company will appear in court. “We’re out on bond,” Rose said Saturday. “But my plan is to just let them put the old warrant out. I’m not going back there.”

Lubbock Police Department spokesman Bill Morgan said the troupe had been warned that some aspects of its performance might violate local law. “These people were briefed before the show about the sexually oriented business ordinance,” which allows simulated sex shows but only if licenses are obtained. “Officers expressed concern about the dress and content of the performance after being shown a photo of the performers. But circus representatives ceased to communicate with us after that point.”

A fourth member of the circus, a female sumo wrestler, was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct after allegedly using loud and profane language to address policemen. The manager of the venue where the show was held and a member of the audience were arrested on suspicion of related offenses.

According to Morgan, when Rose was being led away he told the arresting officers: “You’ve just given me $100,000 worth of free publicity.”