Chula Vista

Elbert (Thad) Poppell was jailed Wednesday after being found in contempt of court for allowing his sexual encounter studio in Chula Vista to remain open, in violation of a court order.

Poppell also was fined $5,000 by San Diego Superior Court Judge Thomas Duffy, as part of the five-day sentence. Duffy stayed another 20-day jail sentence.

Poppell, who represented himself at the hearing, claimed that his sex club was actually a church, and said he was ordained as a minister 30 years ago.

“I have not been operating a sexual encounter studio. I have been operating a church,” Poppell said.

Poppell said the name of the church was House of Thaddeus, and that he ministered to a congregation.

Testimony during the hearing indicated that people who wanted to enter the club had to first pay an admission charge. Undercover police officers have said they were told that all men who came in must undress.

The officers observed sexual activities occurring between men and women in several areas of the studio.

Poppell was found in contempt of court for disregarding another judge’s order to shut the place down because of zoning violations.