NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A residence in northeast Nashville has been padlocked for alleged heroin sales.
Officials with Metro police said in a Tweet Wednesday, that officers were called to a residence on Fern Avenue.
The home was padlocked after police said it was deemed to be a public nuisance due to an investigation dating back to January 2014.
According to police, repeated heroin sales have taken place at the residence, so it has been closed pending a hearing.
The nuisance petition named convicted felon 61-year-old Wayne O. Ellis and his wife 70-year-old Shirley Ellis. Police said Ellis and his wife have lived at the property for years.
Also named was a relative who was deeded the property in June 2014, identified as Aisha Ellis.
A search warrant was once again being executed at the home Wednesday.
According to reports, undercover officers purchased heroin at the home on July 16 and August 7, with the sellers identified as Wayne and Shirley Ellis.
Authorities said Wayne has been arrested more than 60 times with multiple convictions for aggravated assault, felony drug possession, and theft.
Shirley has been arrested more than 100 times, according to police, with convictions for theft, assault, prostitution, and drug-related charges.
Officials said they took both Shirley and Wayne Ellis into custody Wednesday.
Also taken into custody were 52-year-old Norman Williams and 33-year-old Robert Shinault, two other men who were inside the house.
All four have been charged with one count of felony heroin sales.
Authorities said Williams and Shinault also have prior convictions.
"This type of continued activity that endangers our community will not be tolerated," East Precinct Commander David Imhof said. "We do not take boarding up and padlocking a private residence lightly, but our citizens demand and deserve safe neighborhoods."
Police said this was only the second time they have padlocked and boarded up a private residence under the state's nuisance law.
No additional information was known.
