Temporary Restraining Order Issued in Jacksonville Nuisance Case

Following a prolonged period of criminal activity at a motel in Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Police Department (JPD) requested assistance from the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division (ALE) in March 2026 to pursue a civil nuisance abatement action at the Budget Inn located at 1613 North Marine Blvd in Jacksonville. 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 high-level of calls for service drains community and first-responder resources, while additionally negatively impacting the quality of life in the surrounding community.

As a result of the joint investigation conducted by ALE and JPD, with legal partnership and representation provided by attorney Trey Ferguson, Superior Court Judge Augustus Willis signed a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against the owners and operators of the Budget Inn on August 27.

The court order places immediate restrictions on the use of the property. Specifically, the TRO requires all nuisance-related criminal activity to cease immediately and prevents new tenants from occupying the premises pending further court proceedings. While 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.

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, among other offenses, violations of drug laws, recurring acts of violence, breaches of the peace, and Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) violations. The statute provides a civil remedy to abate such criminal conduct and mitigate its harmful 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.