The Ball Closed as Public Nuisance

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Felony Drug Unit and investigators with KPD’s Organized Crime Unit closed a local strip club under the state nuisance law.  The Ball Gentlemen’s Club, located at 3005 Alcoa Highway, was closed by order of Judge Steve Sword based on a homicide, shootings, fights, and other violent behavior occurring at the club.

According to a petition filed by General Allen, The Ball has been the scene of repeated shootings and other violent altercations over the past several years.  KPD officers have responded to over eighty calls for service at The Ball, including one homicide that occurred at the business.  Citizens have also called E-911 on multiple occasions to report shots fired at the club.  KPD officers have been called to break up large disturbances.  Owners, managers, and employees of The Ball are either unwilling or incapable of controlling the criminal activity occurring on the property, leading to an environment that creates a substantial and unjustifiable risk of harm to patrons and the surrounding community.  In short, The Ball operates as a haven for criminal activity, is known in the area as such, and is a continued threat to this community.  

“The Ball is a menace to the community particularly due to the violence that is occurring both inside and outside of the business, and we will use every resource and law available to combat violence in our community,” said DA Charme Allen.  This nuisance injunction marks the sixty-first 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.

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.