SIKESTON POLICE RAID CLUB; THREE ARRESTED

SIKESTON -- Almost a year after law enforcement officers revoked a package liquor store's license, an unlicensed club promising free alcohol and nude dancers tried to open last weekend.

Police, along with Liquor Control agents and deputies from the Scott County sheriff's office, found more than 100 people inside 225 Felker St. at 2 a.m. on Saturday with alcohol, crack cocaine and a .22-caliber revolver.

It was one of the largest raids ever for Sikeston police, said Chief Jim Leist.

Of the five arrested, three have been charged: Jerami Warfield, 22, of Warrensburg, Michael Warfield, 40, of Sikeston, Kamesha Jones, 18, of Sikeston. Both Warfields are being charged with serving liquor in an unlicensed business, and Jones is charged with underage possession of alcohol, resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer, Sgt. Susan Rockett said.

The Warfields were acting as doormen, serving drinks and collecting the $5 cover charge, Rockett said. Responsibility for organizing the party is still being determined, she said.

The party took place next to the former Ella's Package Store at 223 Felker St., which had its liquor license revoked Feb. 2. The building housing the package store and the short-lived club is owned by Rufus and Ella Sumlin of Sikeston, along with members of their family, Rockett said.

An unlicensed club serving alcohol is more of a throwback to the days of prohibition, said Kenny Pincksten, a supervisor with the Missouri Division of Liquor Control.

"It's not common for clubs serving alcohol to be operating without a license," Pincksten said.

The alcohol was seized by police, who will give it to the Southeast Missouri Crime lab for analysis likely to be used later in court, Pincksten said.

Police seized 66 grams of crack cocaine and 28 grams of marijuana in 28 different plastic packages. The cocaine had an approximate value of $2,000, Rockett said, and was an unusually large amount to find in one location.

A search of the building revealed enough code and safety violations to turn off the electricity, police said.

Police hope to have the entire property condemned, Leist said.

The erotic dancers promised in a flyer were at the party, Rockett said.

"The girls had just arrived by the time we got there," she said, "but they hadn't had a chance to do anything erotic."