ROCKPORT, IN — The new year didn’t bring good tidings for the 231 Adult Plaza. Instead, it brought a contempt of court ruling and an order to close its doors and pay more than $360,000 in fines and attorney and witness fees.Spencer Circuit Judge Wayne A. Roell handed down the end-of-2008 ruling that found the adult bookstore in violation of a permanent injunction.

At issue were the kinds of merchandise stocked and a 1,000 foot minimum distance requirement that Roell had previously upheld concerning adult businesses and homes, churches and schools.

Roell’s decision resulted in an appeals plea from the business owner, who contended that the ordinance was a violation of his First Amendment rights. A hearing on the matter by the Indiana Court of Appeals upheld the ruling and the state Supreme Court refused to revisit the case.

“The defendants have shown a pattern of bad behavior since the time they first began doing business in Spencer County,” the Associated Press quotes Roell of saying during the Tuesday ruling.

231 Adult Plaza opened in November 2005, about the same time that Spencer County officials adopted the ordinance. The owner converted a truck stop at the I-64 interchange.

According to the latest ruling against the store, it must halt all business in its main building and may not relocate for a year. Additionally, it must pay $362,467.59 in various fees and fines.