A local newspaper article that RI tattoo artist and Inflicting Ink owner Jeff Goyette found interesting concerning unlicensed, underground illegal tattooing is posted below.
Illegal Tattoo Artist Faces New Charges
May 7th, 2009
Police File New Charges Against Illicit Tattoo Artist
By Andrew Wolfe
NASHUA, NH – Police have brought additional charges against a woman accused of tattooing minors in an unlicensed, underground tattoo parlor in her apartment, detectives reported Wednesday.
Ronalda Brunner-Cummings, 45, of 1 Burns Hill Road, building 3, apt. 37, Hudson, has been jailed since her arrest late last month, unable to post $1,000 bail, Detective Lt. Jeff Bukunt said this morning.
Police charge she had been running an illicit tattoo parlor out of her former apartment at 25 Tolles St., using equipment she bought online, and offering low quality, cut-rate tattoos, at about $30 to 40 each.
Police searched her Hudson home and seized her tattooing equipment on April 29, and on Tuesday, Brunner-Cummings was arrested and arraigned in Nashua District Court on several more misdemeanor charges, Bukunt said.
In addition to endangering the welfare of two 15-year-olds, Brunner-Cummings is also charged with tattooing without a license, and tattooing minors, both also misdemeanors, Bukunt said.
Tattoo shops are highly regulated by state law (RSA 314-A), and it is illegal to operate one without a license in New Hampshire, and illegal to tattoo persons younger than 18.
“Even if parents said it was okay for their kids to get a tattoo, it’s illegal,” Bukunt said.
“Although the tattoos were of poor quality the bigger concern were the health risks,” Bukunt said. “Any time you’re dealing with needles, there’s obviously a risk (of infectious disease).”
Licensed tattoo shops are required to know and abide by safety regulations, including using disposable ink containers, tubes and needles. Brunner-Cummings has never been licensed, nor applied for a tattoo license, in New Hampshire, Bukunt said, and police have been unable to verify what sort of health protocols she followed, if any, he said.
Police have identified four teens tattooed by Brunner-Cummings, but two of the families declined to cooperate in prosecuting charges against her, Bukunt said.
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Inflicting Ink is a Rhode Island Tattoo Studio that embodies
quality, consistency and pride, and offers a sterile, safe,
comfortable, artistic environment to its customers. Nominated multiple
times for the Best Tattoo Parlor in Rhode Island and Best Tattoo Artist
in RI.
You may contact them for an appointment for a
tattoo at (401) 683-5680 and of course walk-ins are always welcome.
For
more information, please visit our home page at
www.inflictinginktattoo.com.
