Officials in San Jose say crimes like prostitution and drug use are an everyday occurrence at Agave Sports Bar and Grill on Alma Street, and now they’ve taken an aggressive step to shut down the establishment. A new lawsuit filed on Wednesday by the city attorney against the owners asks for a judge to order it permanently closed. It also asks a judge to force the owners to pay $25,000 in past-due fines.
The lawsuit claims that the illegal activity at the bar is a danger to the public and that it is also depleting police resources because of the constant complaints. It should be noted that Agave Sports Bar was the site of a deadly crash last month in which cocaine and alcohol were reportedly involved.
The city has tried multiple times to get the bar to close. KPIX reports, the name of the bar is no longer on the sign on the building but it was still in operation on Wednesday.
Councilmember Devora Davis represents the Willow Glen community where the bar is located. She told KPIX, “We’ve been working with SJPD on this site for many years, I would probably say at least four. There have been noise complaints with the neighbors. There have been complaints about potential drug issues. We’ve had a lot of calls from neighbors and a lot of calls for service at that site. It’s definitely been an ongoing issue,” Davis said.
According to KRON4, the lawsuit further claims that prostitution is encouraged at Agave Sports Bar, and that they allow their patrons to drive away from the bar after they’re drunk. Just last month, a man who police say had was receiving oral sex in his parked truck backed into a group of nearby outdoor diners, killing one woman and injuring two others.
The suit also claims that undercover SJPD officers were offered sexual services by women who worked for the bar. As KRON4 reports, Manuel Andrade Trujillo and Lady Lizcano are listed in the lawsuit as the owners of the bar and that another restaurant they own called “Meli’s” is also being targeted to be closed.
So far, the restaurant hasn’t put out any statements. SJPD is also not commenting on whether Agave Sports Bar was engaged in human trafficking or prostitution.
