Algin R. Merritt A councilman for the city of Colquitt was charged with illegal alcohol sales without a licenses Sunday, February 14.

Algin Merritt, 45, of Colquitt was charged with six counts of sale of alcoholic beverage on Sunday without a beer or liquor license at The Fun House he owns.

Merritt does have a city license to run a pool hall at Top Road Fun House, but, according to investigators, there were no pool tables in the Fun House building.

The city councilman faces six alcohol-related charges after authorities found he was selling alcoholic beverages without a license at the Fun House in Colquitt on Martin Luther King Jr. Street.

The establishment had been closed on Sunday, January 24, for running a club without a license.

Charles Beard, a security person, who was there to keep order, had his face sliced open by one of the 300-400 people at the establishment. Brandon Linzy, 17, of Bainbridge was arrested and charged with aggravated assault. Beard was later arrested for parole violation.

It was found later that at least two of the “guests” had been stabbed, one multiple times. There was also evidence that a shooting had taken place inside the building.

Some of the neighbors in the area stated, “We knew he owned it, and we heard about kids going down there and getting in trouble.”

Some people in Colquitt say the club that Merritt owned, the Fun House, has been the source of many wild parties. Reports are that these parties have led to shots being fired inside the building, cutting, stabbings and multiple fights.

After the January 24 incident, owner Algin Merritt stated that they had been having things at the Fun House since 2000. “It was some place for the kids to go,” he stated.

Cory Thomas, Colquitt’s city manager, says the city council has not taken action against Merritt at this time, a decision some don’t like.

“If a city councilman sells alcohol that’s illegal and they turn around and want to arrest someone for the same thing, I think that’s a little outrageous,” said another concerned city resident. “Merritt is a city councilman and a former member of the police committee,” he added.

Other city residents stated, “It isn’t surprising to hear that a person in a position of power would break the law. It seems they think the law is for others, and they are above it.”

Still, the charges have some people losing faith in their elected officials.

“It’s a shame that in this small town, someone that you trust would do something that you wouldn’t see happening,” said another citizen, adding, “It is enough to make anyone think twice before giving out their vote in the next election.”

During a city council meeting Tuesday night, Feburay 16, members formed a new Ethics Committee to handle this case and any similar cases in the future.

Merritt was sent a letter requesting him to step down until these charges are resolved. He did not answer the letter and said nothing of the letter or resignation at the last city council meeting.

The committee is investigating to see if Councilman Merritt violated his office by continuing to run a club, selling alcoholic beverages without a license where minors are gathering on Sunday, and not paying his city or county taxes for the past two years.

Merritt was arrested on Sunday, February 14, and booked at the Miller County Jail. He was released on $10,500.00 bond for the six counts on his on recognizance.

The case is still under investigation, and other warrants could be taken in regard to the two incidents.