News Nearby: Four Arrested J & J Hotel and Bar Raid, Establishment Closed

A search warrant was executed Friday night at the J & J Hotel and
Bar on Main Street in Marianna—one done through a cooperative law
enforcement investigative effort involving the Washington County District Attorneys Drug Task Force, Pennsylvania State Police, Washington County Adult Probation, Pennsylvania State Parole Agents, Greene County Adult Probation and PSP-Liquor Control Enforcement—culminated in four arrests.

“The J & J bar has been the subject of numerous citizen complaints which lead to the start of this undercover operation,” Eugene A. Vittone, Washington County District Attorney.

According to a release, undercover detectives from the Drug Task Force and Pennsylvania State Police began making drug buys from several dealers in and around the bar area.

“Once the detectives were working in the bar it became clear that this bar was a base for drug sales in the Marianna area. Detectives made many controlled buys over a period of several months.” Vittone added. “My office then began to look at this bar to determine if it should also be closed as a drug nuisance bar. We petitioned the court and received an order Friday afternoon to close the bar until a hearing is held on whether the bar is a nuisance due to the voluminous drug activity. The bar will remain padlocked until further order of court.”

Arrested Friday night were: Victor Jones, Eugene Sanders, David Housel and David Brown.

No further information was immediately provided about the individuals.

A fifth individual was arrested outside while the raid was being conducted on
suspicion of driving under the influence.

“It was clear that the people in the small community of Marianna had enough of the drug activity that was occurring in this bar. I know it was gratifying for the officers involved to hear local residents saying thank you to them throughout the evening while they worked.“ Vittone said. “The message is clear. I will not tolerate illegal drug activity occurring in bars in our communities and I will take all steps available to me to close any bars that tolerate this illegal activity.”

The Washington County District Attorneys Drug Task Force requests that anyone with additional information regarding the J & J Hotel and Bar or any illegal drug activity within Washington County to contact them at the toll free tip line 1-800- 281-0070. The call will remain confidential, Vittone said in a release.