Judge delivers consent judgment in Robeson County nuisance case

After several incidents involving gunfire, drug offenses and numerous calls to the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, the Red Hill community of Maxton will soon see some long-awaited changes. On November 9, 2021, Superior Court Judge Jason Disbrow signed a consent judgment in a public nuisance action brought against the owners and occupants of the property located at 92 Jack’s Drive in Robeson County.

This judgment is the final step in the civil action brought by authorities in Robeson County on behalf of the state of North Carolina. Chapter 19 of the North Carolina Bylaws defines “nuisance” activities and provides civil remedies to reduce such criminal acts and their adverse effects on the surrounding community.

“Criminal activity has occurred on this property for years and has caused unnecessary suffering to the citizens of the community,” said Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins. “Thanks to our county and state law enforcement agencies working together, and with the cooperation of landowners and the community, we were able to solve this problem and make the community safer.”

The judgment forged an agreement detailing the intended future use of the property, which prohibits future activities related to nuisance on the property. In addition, the judgment ordered that the property be put up for sale within 30 days and vacated within 48 hours. Anyone found at the scene, other than those specifically named in the agreement, is subject to arrest for trespassing. If any part of the order is violated, defendants can be charged with contempt of court and punished with jail, fines, or both.

The investigation into the harmful activity and the information gathered for that action was a joint effort between members of the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office and members of the Law Enforcement Nuisance Team. alcohol in North Carolina (FTA).

“Nuisance reduction laws provide a solution to properties that create a disproportionate demand on law enforcement resources and negatively impact the quality of life of citizens living nearby,” said Meredith Shoaf, Deputy Special Agent in Charge of the Nuisance Team, “We are pleased to have been able to work with the Sheriff’s Office to provide a permanent solution to this problem.