Fayetteville nightclub shut down for illegal alcohol sales
Paul Woolverton and Caitlin Dineen Staff writers
State and local lawmen shut down a nightclub early Sunday that was illegally selling alcohol in Fayetteville and made several arrests, the N.C. Department of Public Safety said Thursday.
They raided Club Riddimz at 3000 Fort Bragg Road, a news release said.
The club has a history of violence, including fights and shootings, the release said, and, as a result, lost its licenses to sell alcohol some time ago.
This was the fourth raid in a year at this building. It was raided in March and its owners were arrested after it continued to operate without Alcoholic Beverage Control permits.
Early Sunday, according to the release, lawmen found people with guns, one of whom is a convicted felon. Weapons and liquor were seized.
Jason Locklear, Fayetteville-based state Alcohol Law Enforcement agent, said agents found out the business continued operating because employees there took no measures to hide their activity.
"We found out they were continuing to sell (alcohol) because (the owner) is so blatant about it," Locklear said.
He said the last time the club was raided it reopened the next night.
Locklear said as the business remained open they charged a $10 entrance fee and $7 per shot. As the business operates without alcohol permits, they do not report their income, he said.
Club Riddimz, he said, has maintained a successful business despite multiple attempts by law enforcement to shut it down because they open after most places close for the night. He said the club typically opens at 2 a.m.
Locklear said alcohol enforcement agents across the state are combating similar businesses.
"What we have now is illegal nightclubs," she said.
Locklear said he has worked with alcohol enforcement for nearly 15 years and the club is one of the most dangerous places he has raided.
"I've worked in 20 different counties, but this is probably one of the worst places I've encountered," he said.
In addition to alcohol violations, Locklear said officials know there is a high volume of drug usage in the club, but no charges filed this weekend include drug offenses.
Eighteen people face 59 criminal charges, including alcohol, weapons or conspiracy offenses. The release said two people were fugitives from justice.
Those charged again include the owners:
Duane Kenyada Lytch, 36, of Fayetteville. His charges include three counts of possess for sale alcoholic beverages without the applicable ABC permit, three counts of unauthorized possession of spirituous liquor, two counts of selling alcohol without a permit, four counts of conspiracy to commit a criminal offense and four counts of aiding and abetting a criminal offense.
Rohan Trevor Moore, 33, of Hope Mills. He was charged with four counts of possess for sale alcoholic beverages without the applicable ABC permit, three counts of unauthorized possession of spirituous liquor, two counts of selling alcohol without a permit, four counts of conspiracy to commit a criminal offense and four counts of aiding and abetting a criminal offense.
The raid was conducted by the state's Alcohol Law Enforcement Section, the Highway Patrol, Cumberland County Alcoholic Beverage Control officers and the Fayetteville Police Department.