Atlanta Strip Clubs

Previous Operator of Platinum 21 found guilty of Club Onyx Arson

After just four hours of deliberation, an Atlanta jury convicted Boyd Smith, 40, of Atlanta, on a charge of conspiring to commit arson at "Club Onyx," an adult entertainment establishment in Atlanta.

Two other co-defendants who were previously convicted testified against Smith during his six day trial.

According to evidence, Smith conspired with Sandeo Pablo Dyson, 45, of Gainesville and Howard "Bit" Thrower, 51, of Alpharetta, to burn down Club Onyx, an adult entertainment club.

Thrower, the corporate manager of Platinum 21, worked with Smith (also an operator of Platinum 21), and Dyson (a security worker at the club), to devise a plan to burn down Club Onyx.

The motive is believed to be a decline in revenue from Platinum 21. Club Onyx had recently converted from a predominantly white club to a venue catering to an African-American clientele. Club Onyx had a direct impacted in the loss of business to Platinum 21. The three men decided burning down Club Onyx was the only way to regain club profit levels.

It was determined Dyson was paid $5,000 by Smith and Thrower to burn down Club Onyx.

On January 2, 2007, the ATF and the City of Atlanta Fire Department were called to a fire at Club Onyx, which is located at 1888 Cheshire Bridge Road in Atlanta.

Jurors saw video evidence from an internal surveillance system not affect by the fire. It showed an individual starting the fire and then moving out of range from security cameras and out of the building.

This case is still under investigation by Special Agents of the ATF and the FBI.