Center Stage 2011.jpg

The Center Stage strip club in downtown Springfield.

(File photo by Dave Roback / The Republican)

SPRINGFIELD — After watching her younger sister dance at the Center Stage strip club last week, Deanna Miller had one comment.

"I am going to beat your (expletive) ass if you dance like that again," Miller, 28, of Springfield, told her 26-year-old sibling at closing time outside the Dwight Street club.

The sisters began arguing and then trading punches. Police separated them, but Miller made several attempts to resume the hostilities, according to the arrest report.

At 2:15 a.m., the older sister was arrested and charged with assault and battery on a family member; 10 hours later, she pleaded not guilty in Springfield District Court and was released on personal recognizance.

The case was continued for a pretrial hearing on May 16.

About 350 patrons were leaving the club early Wednesday when police heard two women screaming at each other in a parking lot across from the club, according to the arrest report.

"(Obscenity) you, I'm not afraid of you," Miller said before grabbing her sister's hair and punching her in the face and head. Her sister responded with several body blows before police separated them, the report said.

"Deanna Miller continued to try to get away from the officers ... to continue assaulting" her sister, the report stated.

Speaking to police, the victim identified the assailant as her older sister, and explained she was "dancing too sexy for her liking," the report said.

In court records, Miller is described as a Springfield native, single and unemployed, while her sister is listed as an employee of the Kennedy Middle School in Springfield. A School Department spokesperson said there is no record of Miller or her younger sister ever working at the school.