Authorities Seize Hotel, Hub of Crime in Central Phoenix Neighborhood

A central Phoenix hotel is out of business, the property seized by the federal government, and warrants issued for its owner and manager, after more than a year-long joint law enforcement operation.

Investigators say the Royal Inn near Bethany Home Road and Interstate 17 was operating as a brothel. The illicit hotel activity had been spilling over into surrounding neighborhoods causing a spike in crime, community concern, and dozens of complaints from residents.

For more than a decade Phoenix police officers and specialty details have been working to address the issue of prostitution and drugs along the 27th Avenue corridor through enforcement and by offering social services to those willing to accept help.

About a year and a half ago, Phoenix police partnered with the FBI and the U.S Attorney's Office to go after those allowing the activity at the Royal Inn. The investigation took a while, but those partnerships paid off with the shutdown and seizure of the hotel.

Investigators say the owner and manager were allowing people to commit acts of prostitution and engage in drug exchanges.

Federal agents converged on the property with search warrants in hand early Tuesday morning. The premises were vacated and searched as the first step of seizing the property got underway.

Andrew Feight was one of those watching the law enforcement action from the perimeter. He is the principal of a nearby school and was extremely pleased to see the hotel shut down.

"I think the impact is that the schools are going to be able to focus their energy and their efforts on highlighting the learning that takes place and not have to spend their time and energy trying to ensure that the community around them is safe," said Feight.

The work that goes into this kind of an investigation is tedious and time-consuming. The financial aspect of the Royal Inn was the focus of the investigation and the key to seizing the operation as well as other property associated with the profit of the hotel. Investigators needed to look at how much criminal money they were earning or profiting from by allowing this activity to occur on their property. Also, how much they were claiming to the federal government as it relates to taxes. There's a lot that goes into this type of case.

The hotel lies within the boundaries of City Council District 5 represented by Councilwoman Betty Guardado. She and her staff have been listening to constituent complaints about the issues surrounding the hotel for months.

"I have been working alongside our law enforcement partners to address the ongoing criminal issues near and inside the Royal Inn. I am happy to see these concerns are being addressed at the highest level of law enforcement. The building will be boarded up and fenced off. I vow to continue to work with Phoenix police to ensure the work to address criminal activity in the area continues," said Guardado.

Lt. Scott Cain, resource lieutenant for the Cactus Park Precinct, believes the seizure of the Royal Inn is significant.

"I think that's going to send a message to other bad business owners, and it's a very small percentage of them. But the City of Phoenix is not going to tolerate the enabling of, or the facilitating of criminal activity in our City.

Federal warrants will be issued for the arrest of the property owner and manager. The property will be boarded up and secured by the U.S. Marshals Service who will also post no trespassing signs warning people to stay out.

Law enforcement efforts along the 27th Avenue corridor will continue as part of the Phoenix Police Department's Crime Reduction Plan.

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