Judge Issues Preliminary Injunction Against The Doll House

On Thursday, December 16, Judge Braswell issues a preliminary injunction against the Doll House, which closes the facility until a trial is held on the case.  Further details are below.

Contact: Patty McQuillan
Date: December 7, 2004
Phone: (919) 733-5027 x232

Judge Issues Temporary Restraining Order Against The Doll House

 

GOLDSBORO--Superior Court Judge Jerry Braswell issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) today against the property housing The Doll House, 6208 U.S. 70 East, LaGrange.

The property is owned by William Edward Zehnder and is operated by Andy Howard. The TRO is the first step in a civil nuisance abatement case brought by District Attorney C. Branson Vickory on behalf of the State of North Carolina. It prohibits any illegal activity on the property until a preliminary injunction hearing is held.

"The District Attorney’s Office is filing this suit in an effort to be responsive to citizen complaints," said Vickory. “The illegal activities occurring at this business are a detriment to the community.”

An undercover operation at The Doll House, conducted by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office resulted in a number of solicitations for acts of prostitution.

“The county is trying to be responsive and solve this problem permanently,” stated Sheriff Carey Winders. “In order for local law enforcement to fight crime effectively, we need many different tools. A nuisance action is a powerful tool we can use to eliminate problem establishments in Wayne County when traditional law enforcement methods won’t work.”

“The Sheriff notified the owner of this property over a year ago that illegal activities were occurring on his property. He failed to address our concerns,” said Vickory. "This action is a last resort for us."

Agencies participating in this investigation include the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, the Goldsboro Police Department, and the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division.