As reported on shreveporttimes.com

Caddo deputies arrest Freaknik organizer
October 27, 2006

Detectives are still trying to identify the individuals who participated in alleged public sex acts at the Freaknik music festival in Gilliam in late July. People who can provide information can call detectives at (318) 929-9987.
Benson Bell (Times file photo)



By John Andrew Prime
jprime@gannett.com

The organizer and promoter of the local Freaknik music festival has been arrested by Caddo Parish sheriff's deputies on a warrant alleging obscenity and money laundering.

Benson Bell, 34, of 409 College St. in Shreveport, was arrested today on a warrant signed by Caddo District Judge Eugene Bryson for sheriff's Detective Sgt. Jay Long. The charges stem from alleged lewd behavior that included nude dancing and oral sex on stage at the July 30 festival in Gilliam.

"What consenting adults do in private is not our concern," Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator said. "However, oral sex exhibitions in public for profit is our concern, and we will take action against this lewd and disgusting behavior."

Freaknik is an annual event that in the past has included music, car shows and thong contests. At July’s event at the Red River Raceway, two men were selected from the audience of more than 200 to engage in oral sex with a woman on stage. The woman is believed to have been part of the production.

Prator said his office received a tip about the public display and also learned that the events had been recorded and that DVDs of the event were sold for $10 apiece from a booth Bell rented at a local barbershop. An undercover deputy with the sheriff’s office bought one of the DVDs, titled the "Raw, Uncut Version of Freaknik 2K6."

Bryson also signed a subpoena for Bell’s bank records from a local credit union. The money laundering charge against Bell stems from profits from the alleged illegal act.

Detectives are still trying to identify the individuals who participated in the alleged public sex acts. People who can provide information can call detectives at (318) 929-9987.