A popular Pittsboro restaurant and bar saw employees charged with felonies and had its ABC permits revoked last week after a significant investigation by state authorities.

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety said the Alcohol Law Enforcement agency conducted a search warrant at Modern Life Deli and Drink — also known as The MOD — on Thursday, September 7. The search came after a “long-term investigation” by the state into complaints of illegal substances being sold and used at the restaurant on Sanford Road.

As a result, according to a release by the state, a total of 52 charges were levied against several people in connection to the restaurant and bar — with 28 felonies among those. The North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission suspended the business’ permits as a result, with the Department of Public Safety crediting the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office and Pittsboro Police Department with help in Thursday’s operation.

Thursday’s release said there was one outstanding warrant left over from its investigation for Pittsboro resident Juan Antonio Otero Jr. The 50-year-old is charged with Felony to Sell/Deliver Cocaine, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell/Deliver Cocaine, Felony Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Delivery Marijuana, two counts of Felony Possession with Intent to Sell/Deliver Marijuana, three counts of Felony to Sell/Delivery Marijuana, and four counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Among the other people facing charges is Richard Dylan Perry, who the Chatham News + Record reported co-owned The MOD with his mother in 2020. Perry, who is a Pittsboro resident, faces charges of Felony to Maintain a Dwelling/Vehicle/Place for Controlled Substances, three counts of allowing unlawful conduct on license premises and two counts of aid and abet underage in the purchase/possession of alcoholic beverages. This is not the first time Perry has faced serious charges in the Triangle, as 43-year-old was arrested and charged in Orange County in 2015 over a marijuana-growing operation in Hillsborough.

Another person was charged with counts of aiding and abetting the underage purchase of alcoholic beverages, as well as unlawful conduct on a licensed premises: 33-year-old Braxton Edmondson. The MOD’s website does not specify Edmondson’s role with the business.

Five other people face charges from the ALE’s sting on alleged drug operations at The MOD, including five adults:

  • Kevin Stevie Martinez Perez of Siler City, who was charged with Felony Possession with Intent to Sell/Deliver Cocaine, Felony Sell/Deliver Cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and 2 counts of allowing unlawful conduct on license premises.  
  • Jarrett J. Grala of Cream Ridge, N.J., who was charged with two counts of Felony Possession with Intent to Sell/Deliver Cocaine, two counts of Felony Sell/Deliver Cocaine, two counts of Felony Conspire to Sell/Deliver Cocaine and two counts of possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 
  • Jared Ashley Tabor of Pittsboro, who was charged with Contributing to Delinquency of a Juvenile, Felony Conspire to Sell/Deliver Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia, Felony Deliver Marijuana, Felony Sell/Deliver Marijuana, Felony Possession with Intent to Sell/Deliver Marijuana, two counts Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Schedule I Controlled Substance and two counts of Sell/Deliver Schedule I Controlled Substance.  
  • Thomas Daniel Beal of Siler City, who was charged with Felony Possession with Intent to Sell/Deliver Marijuana, Felony Sell/Deliver Marijuana, allowing unlawful conduct on a licensed premises and Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia.
  • A juvenile suspect from Pittsboro, who was charged with Felony Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Delivery Marijuana, Felony Sell/Delivery Marijuana, Felony Conspiracy to Sell/Deliver Marijuana and Marijuana Drug Paraphernalia.

The MOD is known for being a popular place for food, drinks, and live music, having won several distinctions from the Chatham Magazine since Perry became an owner in 2016. In the publication’s latest round of Best Of Chatham awards — which were published on September 1 — it listed The MOD among the best local businesses to have a cocktail, watch a sports game, serve pizza and serve sandwiches.

Modern Life Drink and Deli is closed on Mondays and a call from Chapelboro to the business went unanswered Monday evening. The business shared no posts on social media indicating any change in operations following the ALE’s search and charges last week.

 

Photo via Anjelica Nouman/Google Maps.

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