CARTERVILLE – A woman was arrested following a large active fight between 15 to 20 people at Club 262 on Samuel Road in Carterville early Sunday morning.
According to the Williamson County Sheriff’s office, deputies responded to the business assisted by several surrounding law enforcement agencies.
An investigation discovered that a verbal altercation began inside the business which resulted in several people relocating to the parking lot to settle the dispute. Once outside, the situation escalated with a physical fight erupting. Arriving deputies attempted to detain an individual, later identified as Jocelyn M. Thomas, who was pulling away and resisting.
Thomas ignored verbal commands to place her hands behind her back and was verbally combative and aggressive to bystanders and deputies. She appeared to display the indicators of being under the influence and had admitted to consuming alcohol.
While conducting this investigation, deputies observed 75 to 100 people in the parking lot. A large number of these individuals were unruly and appeared to be intoxicated. Several disturbances happened in the parking lot that included yelling and screaming. Deputies also observed alcoholic beverage containers on the ground and smelled the odor of burnt cannabis. During the investigation, several people approached deputies and the other officers on scene. Law enforcement noticed a large number of these individuals displayed the signs of intoxication by alcoholic beverages.
While on scene deputies spoke with the owner of the establishment, Sierra N. Alderton. While speaking to Alderton, deputies noticed the odor of alcoholic beverage emanating from her person. She stated that all the involved parties were family and that they had left the inside of Club 262 and come outside to settle the argument. Alderton said that she was unaware of any large fight in the parking lot and that Club 262 would be closing for the evening after this incident.
Thomas was cited for Resisting a Peace Officer and remanded to the custody of the Williamson County Jail.
Sheriff Jeff Diederich stated, “unlicensed liquor establishments are a growing concern in Williamson County. These establishments have been observed to have large numbers of patrons which arrive in mass around 2 a.m. and often continue to operate until 6 or 7 a.m. These activities are in direct contrast to those who hold lawful liquor licenses and together with the history of disturbances, loud noise complaints, fights, shootings, and other calls for service they continue to challenge the public safety of our community.”
A previous investigation by the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office in April of this year resulted in the Williamson County State’s Attorney’s Office charging Akeem L. Petty and Sierra N. Alderton of Marion, with Manufacturing/Selling Liquor without a License; a class 4 Felony. Both are known to be affiliated with “Club 262” also known as “Foreign’s Playland.”
Petty and Alderton are scheduled to appear in Williamson County Circuit Court on July 17 at 1:15 p.m. for a preliminary hearing.