Heroin Overdose Death Leads to Nuisance Closure

Upon a petition filed by District Attorney General Charme P. Allen, Judge Bob McGee has ordered authorities to close the residence at 1725 Beaumont Avenue under the state nuisance law. This residence was closed based on an investigation by the Knoxville Police Department’s Repeat Offender Squad into heroin overdoses and sales occurring at the house.

According to the petition filed by General Allen, KPD and Rural Metro responded to an opiate overdose on February 28, 2015. Officers and medics were able to revive the overdose victim. Following that overdose, KPD Officers conducted two video-recorded purchases of heroin from Prentis Lee Hatmaker, Jr., at the residence. Saturday, March 7, Officers were again called to the house in response to a heroin overdose. This victim was later pronounced dead.

In short, General Allen charges that this residence is a haven of criminal activity and a danger to the surrounding community.”This Office will continue to use every resource and law available to combat the growing danger of heroin in our community.” The property will remain closed until further order of Judge McGee.

This nuisance injunction marks the forty-sixth closure by the District Attorney’s Office and Knoxville Police Department in their ongoing collaboration to make neighborhoods safer from the activities that affect the safety and quality of life of residents in this community. The State will continue to seek nuisance injunctions for problem properties as crime data show an estimated eighty-five percent reduction in crime and calls for service in areas after the nuisance closure of a property.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.