STAUNTON, VA — Things are apparently pretty quiet in Staunton, VA. Quiet enough that two grand juries have been called within a single month, the second one requested due to something the city prosecutor calls “special consideration.” Naturally, this refers to pornography.The matter under “special consideration” is Rick E. Krial’s After Hours Video shop which, among other things, sells sexy videos. Videos that, according to the grand jury, may be just a bit too sexy for the locals, in spite of the shop’s rental or sales history.

“This is selective prosecution,” Krail informed local press by telephone after learning about the 16 felony obscenity charges that have been filed against him after an October visit by undercover cops from the Virginia State Police. Krail’s store was also visited by Staunton and Waynesboro police departments wo were looking for something offensive to bring back to the office. Staunton Prosecutor Ray Robertson claims that other area stores were also inspected, but only Krial has been charged with wrong-doing at this time.

The six-person grand jury deemed the titles obscene after spending the morning watching segments of a dozen videos purchased at the store between October 15th and 18th.

Both Krial and his company, LSP of Virginia, LLC – which owns a dozen shops in Virginia and Maryland – have been charged with felony and misdemeanor counts of selling obscene videos.

Krial is stunned, calling the charges “ludicrous” and marveling that things ever got this far, given that although he’s received some negative feedback from some communities, he’s never been accused of doing anything illegal.

Nonetheless, Krial remains pragmatic, concluding that “It is what it is. Everybody’s going to have their day in court.”