CRAINVILLE – Three people were arrested after the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the Smokin’ Hookah Lounge in Crainville Saturday.

According to the sheriff’s office, arrested were the establishment’s owner and operator, John D. Thomas, along with Jamsion R. Williams and Aaliyah L. Blades.

Thomas was cited for Manufacture/Sale Liquor Without License (a class 4 Felony), Possession of A Firearm By A Felon (a class 2 Felony),  Aggravated Unlawful Use of A Weapon (a class 2 Felony), Possession Controlled Substance (a class 4 Felony), Possession Controlled Substance (a class 4 Felony), and Manufacture/Delivery Of Cannabis 30-500 grams (a class 3 Felony). 

Williams was cited for Resisting/Obstructing A Peace Officer (a class A Misdemeanor).

Blades was cited for Underage Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor (a class A Misdemeanor)

A 17 year old male, observed behind the bar, was identified. Deputies found him in possession of a handbag containing significant cash believed to be the proceeds of the “cover charge” which was being collected at the door.  

Thomas and Williams were transported to and remanded into the custody of the Williamson County Jail. 

Williamson County Sheriff Jeff Diederich says the business, operated by Thomas, has been the location of multiple incidents involving the unlicensed sale of alcoholic beverage, underage consumption of alcohol, narcotics, felons in possession of firearms, numerous noise complaints, fights, intoxicated patrons, drug overdose, and large uncontrolled crowds. 

Thomas, doing business as Smokin’ Hookah, was the subject of a Jan. 23, 2024, Notice To Cease And Desist, issued by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, ordering him to cease unlicensed liquor operations.

Sheriff Diederich says Thomas has failed to comply with the cease and desist letter and continued to host large events on Friday and Saturday nights between 2 and 5 a.m.  

At 2:45 a.m. Saturday, the sheriff’s office deployed undercover deputies into the Smokin’ Hookah Lounge posing as patrons.  

These undercover law enforcement officers saw unlicensed alcoholic beverages on the premise, intoxicated underage patrons, cannabis, the sale of alcoholic beverages, patrons fighting, and a crowd of 150 to 200 people.  

Additionally, the parking lot was full of vehicles and had overflowed the parking lot and were parking on the roadways surrounding the business. 

At 4:17 a.m. 20 sheriff’s deputies arrived at the establishment to execute a search warrant. Upon arrival, deputies encountered 75 people in the parking lot and 20 inside the business. 

While attempting to reach the front door, at least one person attempted to obstruct the operation by pushing arriving deputies.  

Deputies arriving at the rear exit of the building encountered Thomas unsuccessfully attempting to flee the building.  

Investigators located MDMA (commonly know as Ecstasy), Psilocybin (commonly known as shrooms), cannabis, firearms, illegal alcoholic beverage, and underage patrons who had consumed alcoholic beverage. 

Deputies then arrested and cited Thomas, Blades and Williams. Thomas and Williams were taken to jail.

The sheriff’s office served a notice of asset forfeiture and have seized and removed from the premises all chairs, tables, pool tables, couches, televisions, neon liquor signs, dart boards, alcoholic beverage, point of sales systems, signage, hookah smoking devices, $4,017 in cash, and other assets of the business pending an asset forfeiture hearing.    

The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank State’s Attorney Ted Hampson for his assistance in this matter.