(SHELBY COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE) – A northeastMemphis motel was closed Friday as a public nuisance after a lengthy policeinvestigation showed a pattern of illegal drug activity, weapons, burglaries,thefts and prostitution, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.
The Red Roof Inn at 6055 Shelby Oaks Drive also has been the siteof multiple heroin overdoses, including four that were fatal, between March2017 and August of this year.
The Memphis Police Organized Crime Unit has found in various roomsat the hotel multiple handguns, hypodermic needles, and narcotics, includingheroin, crystal methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana and ecstasy.
Gen. Weirich and City Atty. Bruce McMullen said citizenscontinually have called the Appling Farms Station to express their concerns.Between August 2018 and August 2019 police have responded to 150 callsregarding illegal activity at the motel.
A hearing is set for 9 a.m. Tuesday before GeneralSessions/Environment Court Judge Patrick Dandridge, who signed the nuisancepetition and temporary injunction. Red Roof defendants named in the petitionare Shree Shvi, LLC, and Girish Sinojia. The case is being handled by Asst.Dist. Atty. Paul Hagerman and Asst. City Atty. Will Gibbons.
The Red Roof Inn will remain closed for new business pendingfurther order by the court, although lawfully paying guests will not bedisplaced.
The motel is less than a mile from Shelby Oaks Elementary School,Sycamore View Church of Christ and Bartlett Immanuel Lutheran. It also isapproximately one mile from Southwest Tennessee Community College and fromMemphis Memory Gardens.
Under Tennessee law, the DA hasauthority to bring a civil actions against any establishment deemed a publicnuisance where “unlawful sale of any regulated legend drug, narcotic or othercontrolled substance. . .quarrelling, drunkenness, fighting or breaches of thepeace are carried on or permitted.”
