Multiple people accused of crimes at Crainville hookah lounge
CRAINVILLE, Ill. (KBSI) – Three people face charges after Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant at a hookah lounge in Crainville on Saturday.
John D. Thomas faces charges of manufacture/sale liquor without license (a class 4 felony), possession of a firearm by a felon (a class 2 felony), aggravated unlawful use of a weapon (a class 2 felony), possession controlled substance (a class 4 felony), possession controlled substance (a class 4 felony) and manufacture/delivery of cannabis 30g-500g (a class 3 felony).
Jamsion R. Williams faces a charge of resisting/obstructing a peace officer (a class A misdemeanor).
Aaliyah L. Blades faces a charge of underage consumption of alcohol by a minor (a class A misdemeanor).
Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant at the Smokin’ Hookah Lounge located at 1615 Landing Drive in Crainville on May 18.
Smokin’ Hookah is a business operated by John D. Thomas.
Sheriff’s deputies say the business has been the location of multiple incidents involving the unlicensed sale of alcoholic beverage, underage consumption of alcohol, narcotics, felons in possession of firearms, numerous noise complaints, fights, intoxicated patrons, drug overdose, and large uncontrolled crowds.
John D. Thomas dba/Smokin’ Hookah was the subject of a January 23 Notice To Cease And Desist issued by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission ordering Thomas to cease unlicensed liquor operations.
“Thomas has failed to comply with the cease and desist letter and continued to host large events on Friday and Saturday nights between 2am and 5am,” said Williamson County Sheriff Jeff Diederich.
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office deployed undercover deputies into the Smokin Hookah Lounge posing as patrons around 2:45 a.m. on Saturday.
Sheriff Diederick says the undercover law enforcement officers saw unlicensed alcoholic beverages on the premise, intoxicated underage patrons, cannabis, the sale of alcoholic beverages, patrons fighting and a crowd of approximately 150-200 people.
The parking lot was full of vehicles and had overflowed the parking lot. Cars were parked on the roadways surrounding the business.
Around 4:17 a.m. about 20 deputies with the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office arrived to execute a search warrant.
Deputies encountered around 75 people in the parking lot and 20 inside the business.
While deputies tried to reach the front door they say at least one person attempted to obstruct them by pushing the arriving deputies.
Deputies arriving at the rear exit of the building encountered owner John D. Thomas who unsuccessfully attempted to leave the building.
Investigators say they found MDMA (commonly know as Ecstasy), Psilocybin (commonly known as shrooms), cannabis, firearms, illegal alcoholic beverage and underage patrons who had consumed alcoholic beverage.
John D. Thomas faces charges of manufacture/sale liquor without license (a class 4 felony), possession of a firearm by a felon (a class 2 felony), aggravated unlawful use of a weapon (a class 2 felony), possession controlled substance (a class 4 felony), possession controlled substance (a class 4 felony) and manufacture/delivery of cannabis 30g-500g (a class 3 felony).
Jamsion R. Williams faces a charge of resisting/obstructing a peace officer (a class A misdemeanor).
Aaliyah L. Blades faces a charge of underage consumption of alcohol by a minor (a class A misdemeanor).
A 17 year old male was seen behind the bar. Deputies say he was in possession of a handbag containing significant US currency believed to be the proceeds of the “cover charge” which was being collected at the door.
Thomas and Williams were taken to the Williamson County Jail.
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office served a notice of asset forfeiture and have seized and removed from the premises all chairs, tables, pool tables, couches, televisions, neon liquor signs, dart boards, alcoholic beverage, point of sales systems, signage, hookah smoking devices, $4,017 in United States currency and other assets of the business pending an asset forfeiture hearing.
“Law enforcement has developed adequate intelligence concerning those associated with and some who patronize this business as related to drug and weapons offenses,” said Williamson County Sheriff Jeff Diederich. “As a result, a strong tactical presence while serving this search warrant was necessary to ensure the safety of our Deputies and the public. The presence of multiple firearms and drugs is a testament to our advance due diligence. I am especially concerned that this activity is occurring within 500 feet of a school.”
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