JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – A Superior Court judge signed a temporary restraining order Thursday against the owners and operators of the Budget Inn at 1613 North Marine Blvd. in Jacksonville following a civil nuisance abatement investigation.
The Jacksonville Police Department requested assistance from the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division in March 2026 to pursue the civil nuisance abatement action at the motel. A formal investigation was opened in late March.
The investigation revealed a history of illegal drug sales, drug-related overdoses, assaults, overdose-related deaths and sexual assaults occurring on the property. The property had almost 30 nuisance-related calls for service to date this year.
The court order places immediate restrictions on the use of the property. It requires all nuisance-related criminal activity to cease immediately and prevents new tenants from occupying the premises pending further court proceedings.
Current tenants may remain at the property until their leases conclude. All trespassing is strictly prohibited.
A preliminary injunction will occur within the next 10 days to decide next steps in the nuisance abatement case.
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