JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — A judge has issued a temporary restraining order against the owners and operators of a Jacksonville motel following an investigation into repeated criminal activity on the property.
The order involves the Budget Inn at 1613 North Marine Blvd.
Jacksonville police asked the N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement Division for help pursuing a civil nuisance abatement case in March. Officials say the investigation began later that month.
According to the Jacksonville Police Department and ALE, investigators found a history of alleged drug sales, overdoses, overdose-related deaths, assaults and sexual assaults at the property.
Officials say police have responded to nearly 30 nuisance-related calls at the motel so far this year.
Superior Court Judge Augustus Willis signed the temporary restraining order Aug. 27.
The order requires nuisance-related criminal activity at the property to stop immediately and prevents the motel from taking new tenants while the case moves forward. Current tenants can remain until their leases end, but trespassing is prohibited.
A hearing on a preliminary injunction is expected within the next 10 days to determine the next steps in the case.