COLERAIN – With the assistance of the Down East Narcotics Task Force, the Bertie Sheriff’s Office was able to shut down a reputed “shot house” here recently.

Bertie Sheriff John Holley reported that on May 23, BCSO Sgt. Matt Roebuck and Detective Martin Phelps located Adrian Jones on Powell Street in Colerain. Holley said both officers knew that Jones had an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

“They assessed the situation and decided to wait for additional deputies to respond to the area in order to make an arrest without incident,” Sheriff Holley said in a statement.”

BCSO Chief Deputy Kenny Perry and Patrol Sgt. Travis Askew coordinated a plan with Sgt. Roebuck and approached the area with approximately 11 sheriff’s office personnel, including Sheriff Holley. Deputies and Drug Agents were able to arrest Jones and Kelvin Jefferson at the residence without injury to anyone.

Holley added that Roebuck and Phelps have known that the residence on Powell Street has been the subject of numerous complaints by concerned Colerain citizens for a while and that was also addressed with the homeowner, Reggie Jackson. Roebuck and Phelps then conducted a ‘shot house’ investigation and seized a large quantity of alcohol that was being sold illegally.

As a result of the evidence located during the investigation, Holley said NC ALE (Alcohol Law Enforcement) agreed to accept the case and the evidence collected by Bertie County Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff said Jackson was charged with illegal alcohol sales.

Jones was arrested for assault and battery, and communicating threats.

Jefferson was arrested for numerous charges in three counties, including Bertie.