Some people, it seems, never learn. Forget about the old saw that age imparts wisdom, because in some cases it just isn’t true. One such example is the case of Richard Wayne Stanford, 65, who, apparently, was born an asshole and just grew bigger.
Stanford was arrested Wednesday, Sept. 30, on charges of running an illegal tattoo operation out of his basement, and tattooing a 14 year old girl.
Now as most of us who are, or have been tattoo artists will tell you, a basement is probably not a prime location for a tattoo studio. For one they tend to be a bit cool and damp, which is perfect breeding ground for mold, mildew, and fungus. Now while disinfectants can take care of most viruses and mold in itself, it will not kill spores. Spores are the way molds and other fungi spread, and short of extreme heat and pressure, (like in a hospital autoclave, kiddies), nothing can destroy them.
“Gee, look ma, my tattoo is growing mushrooms!”
I’ve a pretty good idea where Stanford apprenticed at as well, considering he was also charged with possession of a firearm by a felon. Yep. Yet another graduate of the toothpaste ink, and guitar string school of tattooing. You just know that they spend months teaching these guys about blood born pathogens and sterile technique.
The police were tipped off by the girl’s parents after she came home with the tattoo in August, which makes me wonder why it took them nearly two months to arrest this idiot. He had been operating a word of mouth tattoo studio for God knows how long, and the authorities are unsure just how many victims, excuse me, clients, he has actually tattooed.
Currently it is illegal for someone to operate a tattoo studio without a permit from the Iowa State Board of Health, there are no medical or educational qualifications to become a permitted tattoo artist in Iowa. (Sounds alot like trying to put out a fire after the damn house has burned down to me.) Neither is there such a thing as parental consent. If you are not 18 years old, tough titty, kitty. No tattoo for you.
If convicted of his crimes Stanford will receive up to a year in county jail and an $1,875 fine for the tattoo offences, and up to five years in prison and a $7,500 fine for the firearm possession charge, which is a Class D felony.
To be honest, gang, things like this should be a no-brainer. Even if the tattoo artist is not required to be licensed by the state, you should at least do your best to make certain they know what in hell they are doing. In today’s world this is not a joke, it is deadly serious. And a tattoo “artist” who is working out of his basement with nothing more than word of mouth advertising should be enough to make you more than a little suspicious.
Ask to see his auto clave, sterilized single use needles, how he sterilizes the work station between each and every tattoo. It’s your ass we’re talking about here and I’m pretty sure a discount tattoo is not worth losing a limb to gangrene, or a slow painful death in an AIDS clinic. In short: Go to a Pro.
Take it easy, and be careful out there. 😉