Church and Porn Studio on the Same Block? Slavic Village Outraged; Residents Fight Back
CLEVELAND, OH — A newly established adult entertainment business in Cleveland’s Slavic Village is facing mounting opposition from residents, community advocates, and local leaders. The studio, operating under the name Fleetave JB, is located at 5211 Fleet Avenue; a space that was recently vacated by the Southeast Cleveland Resource Center. Concerns have been raised about the business’s operations, the legality of its practices, and its potential impact on the community.
Fleetave JB promotes itself as a producer of adult content, encouraging participants to submit explicit videos through a website registered on November 13, 2023. The website advertises amateur pornography, touts opportunities to “make extra money,” and offers cash prizes through a contest based on video sales. Prospective participants are required to submit identification, sign consent forms, submit personal MyChart records and produce promotional content introducing themselves under stage names.
The business’s legitimacy is in question. Owner Johnny Michael Grose, 36, has not registered Fleetave JB with the Ohio Secretary of State. Grose operates through a website that lacks a functioning privacy policy and features low-budget, poorly produced videos. One recruitment video, uploaded to YouTube earlier this month (below), shows Grose soliciting participants in an unprofessional and concerning manner. “Must be 18 or older, with an ID, and recent MyChart,” he states. The video has garnered only 159 views, reflecting a lack of serious engagement but raising alarms about the business’s approach.
Legal, Community, and Operational Questions
The building in which Fleetave JB operates also presents a tangled web of ownership and use. Official records from Cuyahoga County list the address as 5207 Fleet Avenue, owned by Jeffrey Domzalski, a 67-year-old Northfield resident. Another company, G.A.P. Holdings LLC, registered to the 5211 Fleet Avenue address, lists Ben Alfasi as its agent. Neither Domzalski nor Alfasi appears to have direct ties to Grose that we can find, suggesting the space is being rented. According to a local resident on Facebook, the landlord is someone by the name of Chet Ciuksa. When asked why he doesn't just evict them, the resident added that the landlord is, "looking for a legal reason to do so that’s why he needs some help. The petitions might help to establish it as a nuisance. Don’t know if they applied for permit etc. he’s dealing with the councilwoman who should be helping him and have the Cleveland law department intercede"
Also, the Fleetave JB website (which we will not provide a link to here), allows visitors to access its adult content after simply stating that they must be 18 years or older, without requiring any age verification, such as clicking a confirmation button or submitting identification. This raises serious concerns, particularly in light of Ohio’s proposed House Bill 295, known as the "Innocence Act." The bill, introduced in the Ohio General Assembly, seeks to make it mandatory for websites distributing pornographic or obscene material to verify users’ ages before granting access.
Under the proposed legislation, websites would need to use "reasonable age verification methods," such as requiring a government-issued ID or other personal documents, to ensure users are over 18. Failure to comply would constitute a third-degree felony, while minors caught falsifying their identity to access such material would face misdemeanor charges. Advocates of the bill argue it is essential for shielding minors from harmful online content, while opponents raise concerns about potential privacy violations and implications for free speech.
Fleetave JB's current setup not only lacks these safeguards but also raises additional ethical concerns. It appears that Grose, the website's owner, is the principal male performer in all the explicit videos offered on the platform. This setup, combined with its lax approach to verifying visitors’ ages, highlights the business's deviation from both professional and legal standards in the adult entertainment industry. If House Bill 295 becomes law, operations like Fleetave JB would face significant legal hurdles, and Grose's failure to implement even basic protections could expose him to severe penalties.
The bill’s focus on ensuring age verification reflects a growing concern over how unregulated online platforms can exploit vulnerable populations, particularly minors, by making explicit material easily accessible. In such an environment, Fleetave JB exemplifies the risks that poorly regulated businesses pose to communities, prompting calls for greater enforcement of laws designed to protect public welfare.
This property’s new use contrasts starkly with its previous tenant. The Southeast Cleveland Resource Center, a nonprofit organization, provided vital community services, including substance abuse support, job application assistance, and a food pantry. Despite its impact, the center struggled financially, raising only $2,304 of a $15,000 GoFundMe goal before moving to a location three and a half blocks away at 5606 Fleet.
Local residents are now questioning how a community resource center gave way to an adult entertainment studio. Ed McDonald, a community organizer and administrator of the Southeast Cleveland News & Information Facebook page, is urging action. “file 311 complaints for issues like operation/use, signage, occupancy permits, and blacked-out windows,” he posted. Residents have echoed these concerns, emphasizing the importance of reporting potential violations.
Broader Concerns
Fleetave JB’s arrival has sparked fears about exploitation and harm. The studio’s operations, which lack professional oversight, may target individuals in vulnerable financial situations. “Desperate people might see this as an opportunity to make quick money, but they may not understand the risks involved,” said one local advocate.
Grose’s criminal record adds to the apprehension. His legal history includes arrests and charges for drug trafficking, driving without a license, and carrying concealed weapons. While many charges were dismissed, his background raises questions about the ethics and safety of his current enterprise.
Community leader Joe Bialek, who mentioned the blocking of a similar establishment in 1995, is advocating for collective action. At the time, he stated, South East Clevelanders Together successfully prevented a pornographic bookstore from opening by collecting signatures and citing zoning concerns. Bialek believes the same strategy can apply here, particularly given Fleetave JB’s proximity to residential areas and a nearby church.
Call to Action
As concerns grow, community members are exploring ways to address the situation. Suggestions include leveraging city inspections to ensure compliance with zoning, health, and safety codes. “They can most likely shut them down with licensing, health, and safety code violations,” noted a resident on the Southeast Cleveland News & Information Facebook page.
Fleetave JB’s operations illustrate a larger issue: the vulnerability of underregulated industries to exploit both individuals and communities. By shedding light on these practices, advocates hope to protect Slavic Village from harm and preserve its integrity.
Efforts to address Fleetave JB are ongoing, but many residents believe the power of collective advocacy will prevail. “We’ve done it before, and we can do it again,” Bialek said, urging the community to take action.
Resources for Residents
To report concerns about Fleetave JB, residents can contact the city’s 311 service by phone or online. Complaints can focus on zoning violations, unpermitted operations, or other regulatory concerns.
View and download a copy of the House Bill 295 the 'Innocence Act' below.
