An appeals court has overturned the conviction of an east Texas man accused of grooming children as young as 5 to perform in sex shows at a small-town swingers club.

The 14th Court of Appeals in Houston on Thursday ordered a new trial for 43-year-old Patrick "Booger Red" Kelly. He was sentenced to life in prison two years ago after a jury found him guilty of engaging in organized criminal activity.

The three-judge panel agreed with Kelly's claim that he had not been allowed to present a proper defense.

Authorities alleged that Kelly was a member of the so-called Mineola Swinger's Club. They accused him of helping set up a "kindergarten" where children learned to dance provocatively. Kelly testified that he was innocent.