The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, along with multiple other law enforcement officers, served a search warrant at the Dubois Clubhouse and Event Center on Wednesday, September 14, shortly after 11:00 p.m. The search warrant was the result of a joint undercover operation by the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Department of Revenue. Undercover officers made purchases of alcohol, namely liquor and distilled spirits, from the club.
Enforcement officers arrested the two owners/occupants of the clubhouse, Tori Deshawn Simmons (age 31), and Norman Simmons (age 56), both of a Cochran address in Dodge County. Officers arrested an employee of the club, Ivory Timothy Thompson (age 25), of a Cochran address in Bleckley County. Officers seized liquor, beer, wine, money and firearms from the club during the execution of the search warrant.
The club has been shut down and “padlocked” by the order of the Superior Court of Dodge County. Tori Simmons and Thompson are facing charges of selling alcohol without a license and sale of distilled spirits in a dry county. Norman Simmons faces a charge of possession of firearms by a convicted felon.
Several patrons of the club were arrested for being minors in possession of alcohol and several would be patrons arriving were arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol. Dodge County Sheriff Jeff Hinson advises that more arrests are pending in the case on several workers in the club.
This is not the first time arrests have been made as a result of the alleged illegal club. Deputies arrested several people back in July for drugs, traffic charges and outstanding arrest warrants as result of traffic safety checkpoints back on the night of July 16. At that time, sheriff Hinson gave a copy of the local Dodge County “Brown Bag Ordinance” to the Simmons and explained that alcohol could not be on the premises where admission or other fees were charged to patrons. However, the club owners violated state alcohol/liquor laws by actually running an unlicensed bar in a dry county.
Sheriff Hinson states that the club was doing other controversial things which have been published on the advertisements including: “A.B.C. ‘All But Clothes’ Night”, “Dope Mic Contest”, etc.
The first floor of the club contained a full service bar, kitchen, dance floor, stage and poles for dancing. The second floor of the club apparently served as a residence with bedrooms for the Simmons.
Sheriff Hinson stated, “I have received numerous complaints in person, and by phone, from Dodge County citizens in that area about loud music coming from the club into the wee hours of the morning. We also received complaints of illegal alcohol sales and underage drinking occurring at the place.
I personally went to the club back in July and carried the Simmons a copy of the local county ordinance concerning establishments and alcohol on the premises. I also told them that state law prevented them from selling any type of liquor, or from selling beer and wine which is consumed on the premises. However, the club owners continued to operate illegally.
An undercover operation was begun over the last several weeks in which we were able to obtain sufficient evidence for a search warrant for the club and arrest warrants for the Simmons. Not only were there violations of local ordinances found, but also violations of state alcohol laws.
Obviously from the complaints I received and our findings during the search, there was a criminal problem with this club, which will be presented to the Superior Court.
Businesses in Dodge County can apply for alcohol licenses through the normal licensing procedures. However, if the law is violated I am sworn to uphold the law through enforcement measures and I will do the job that citizens in Dodge County elected me to do.”
Sheriff Hinson said other agencies assisting the sheriff’s office and revenue agents in the raid at the club included: the Oconee District Attorney’s Office, the Oconee Drug Task Force, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Georgia Department of Corrections K-9 Unit, the Georgia State Patrol and the Eastman Police Department.
They probably would be heard if it was a rehab center or a job skill center.
It seems as if their "A.B.C." turned out to stand for All Bad Choices. Maybe the next time they will get their minds to think of something that will "A.B.C." can help them to make.
Maybe I will come back and open up a couple....
It seems that once people have a drink or two or three, fights and public drunkenness, along with LOUD music is the way to behave.
Look up the records on it; you'll see this is the case in every instance.