Consent Judgments Ordered in Spindale Nuisance Case

Following repeated criminal offenses and numerous community complaints, Spindale Police Department Chief (SPD), Chad Nazlerod requested assistance from the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division (ALE) to address persistent illegal activity taking place at 162 Grose Street in Spindale.

The nuisance abatement investigation revealed a long history of illegal drug use including fentanyl, methamphetamine, MDMA, heroin, and cocaine. In addition to the illicit drug use the property also had a history of drug-related overdoses, shots fired, and breaches of the peace. The combination of these activities and repeated calls for service at the property placed a strain on law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services, while also negatively impacting the surrounding community.

As a result of the joint investigation conducted by ALE and SPD, and with the cooperation of a family member of the property owner, Superior Court Judge J. Thomas Davis signed two consent judgments and final order of abatements on September 28. This concluded the nuisance abatement investigation brought by SPD on behalf of the state of North Carolina.

Under the terms of the court order, the current resident must permanently vacate the property. The property must also be listed for sale, and the previous tenant and the owner cannot live within 50 miles of the property.

ALE's Nuisance Abatement Team specializes in investigating properties associated with ongoing criminal activity and making recommendations for civil enforcement actions as authorized under Chapter 19 of the North Carolina General Statutes.

Chapter 19 of the North Carolina General Statutes defines nuisance activities to include, in part, crimes involving drug laws, recurring violence, breaches of the peace and Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) violations. The statute provides a civil remedy to abate such criminal acts and their detrimental impact on the community.

About ALE:

ALE is the lead enforcement agency for the state's alcoholic beverage control, gambling, lottery, and tobacco laws, with primary authority over nuisance abatement statutes. ALE has a team of special agents who are certified paralegals and receive extensive training in conducting nuisance abatement investigations.