State agents, city police execute raid at Maximum Private Lounge
Winston-Salem law enforcement agencies announced Saturday that nine people have been charged after agents with the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division executed a search warrant at Maximum Private Lounge, 3301 N. Liberty St., seizing suspected illegal alcohol, drugs, ammunition and about 10 firearms.
ALE officials said the investigation began after the division received multiple complaints from the community about alleged illegal activity at the lounge. Undercover special agents conducted several visits to the business and documented what ALE described as violations of state alcohol beverage control laws, including the sale of alcoholic beverages without required permits.
In the early morning hours of Aug. 8, ALE agents, assisted by the Winston-Salem Police Department, served a search warrant at the lounge. Agents reported seizing approximately a half-ounce of cocaine and crack cocaine, alcoholic beverages lacking proper permits, ammunition and roughly 10 firearms. ALE said three of the firearms had been reported stolen and that several of the weapons were in the possession of individuals who are convicted felons.
Charges filed against owner and others
ALE identified Ronald C. Maxxwell, 51, of Winston-Salem as the business owner. Prosecutors charged him with multiple felony counts related to maintaining a business for the purpose of controlled substances, along with counts tied to selling and possessing alcohol without permits.
Eight other people were charged in connection with the investigation. Several individuals face firearms-related counts, and others were charged with unlicensed security or alcohol violations. The defendants and the charges listed by ALE are summarized below.
| Defendant | Age | Alleged charges (selected) |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald C. Maxxwell | 51 | Three counts: maintaining a business for a controlled substance; selling alcohol without permits; possession/consumption of alcohol without permits |
| Elijah Lamont Quattlebaum | 55 | Possession of firearm by a felon; possession of a stolen firearm; possession of cocaine; unlicensed armed security |
| Delano Decosta Davis II | 38 | Possession of firearm by a felon; carrying a concealed weapon |
| Caesar Z. York | 53 | Selling alcohol without permits |
| Christopher James Redd | 30 | Selling alcohol without permits |
| Christopher Johanne Garris | 39 | Selling alcohol without permits |
| Malik Louallen | 27 | Selling alcohol without permits |
| Shahad S. Clark | 37 | Unauthorized possession of alcohol |
| Tyree Shamar Brown | 24 | Unlicensed armed security; unarmed security carrying a firearm |
Community complaints prompted investigation
ALE officials said the enforcement action followed complaints from the neighborhood regarding alleged illegal activity. According to the agency, undercover visits documented multiple Alcoholic Beverage Control violations prior to the warrant. Officials did not provide additional details about the timeline of those undercover operations, nor did they disclose whether the lounge held any prior ABC actions.
- Seized items: about a half-ounce of cocaine and crack cocaine, alcohol without permits, ammunition and approximately 10 firearms
- Reported findings: three firearms reported stolen; several firearms allegedly possessed by convicted felons
- Assistance: Winston-Salem Police Department aided ALE in executing the search warrant
The case will proceed through the criminal justice system. The charges announced by ALE are allegations; as with all criminal matters, defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. ALE did not release bond information or court dates for the individuals charged.
Local residents and business owners said they had reported concerns to authorities prior to the raid, according to ALE. The seizure and multiple arrests highlight continuing efforts by state and local law enforcement to address illegal alcohol sales and firearm possession in establishments across the region.
WE NEWS reached out to ALE and the Winston-Salem Police Department for further comment and to the Maximum Private Lounge for response; those calls were not returned by publication time.
