Lawsuit against DA, Sheriff, and Deputy

BLADEN, NC (WWAY) — Bladen County’s Sheriff and District Attorney face a lawsuit after deputies raided a pair of sweepstakes parlors last year. This comes after the plaintiffs claim the pair was involved in damaging property on purpose during the raid.

Cybernet LLC and Aladdin LLC filed the civil suit against DA Jon David, Sheriff Jim McVicker, and deputy Travis Deaver. The Clerk of Courts said the lawsuit was filed Friday.

Dublin commissioner Jeffrey Smith is listed as the owner of Aladdin LLC, while his wife Holly Smith is listed as the owner of Cybernet LLC. The businesses were part of a sweepstakes bust back in May of last year.

The suit said during the raid, investigators intentionally damaged things like locks, lighting, and machines in an attempt to force the business to close.

Jeffrey Smith is facing charges in that raid but has not gone to trial. The suit said the DA directed the damage after an earlier case against Smith ended in a mistrial.

The DA told us he will continue to work with the Sheriff’s Office “to bring justice to this matter.” He referred us to the Attorney General’s Office which he says represents him and other DA’s in what he called “these frivolous lawsuits.”

Sheriff McVicker did not wish to comment on the suit.