West Allis panel recommends revoking Black Bar and Bites’ liquor, entertainment licenses after federal indictment and safety complaints

The West Allis Public Safety Committee on Tuesday recommended that the Common Council move to revoke Black Bar and Bites’ Class B fermented malt beverage, intoxicating‑liquor and public‑entertainment licenses after prosecutors presented a federal complaint and related police reports alleging the establishment was used to facilitate drug trafficking.

Committee Chair Suzette Grisham announced the unanimous finding and recommendation after the panel reviewed a federal complaint and indictment naming Martin Sinclair and related case reports. “It was without question that we are going to revoke Miss Pierce’s license, for the Black Bar and Bites,” Grisham said as she described the committee’s conclusion.

Why it matters: The city’s attorney, Assistant City Attorney Anthony Garcia, told the panel the city is seeking revocation of licenses for the business at 1022 South 60th Street. The prosecutor presented a summary of a federal complaint and indictment and said the documents, surveillance and calls for service connect Sinclair and associates to drug distribution and to activity at the bar.

Officer Mark Burkell, testifying for the prosecution, summarized the federal affidavit and indictment. He recited the allegations that “he was in possession with intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances,” and described search‑warrant targets that included the bar and a Milwaukee residence. Burkell said case agents reported large seizures at another location — more than 1,000 grams of cocaine and hundreds of grams of fentanyl, oxycodone and marijuana — and that investigators observed conduct and communications consistent with drug trafficking.

The complaint and reports introduced to the committee also documented numerous public‑safety complaints at the bar, including repeated noise complaints and after‑hours activity, alleged incidents involving weapons and arrests, and one report footnoted as potentially linked to a Milwaukee homicide. The prosecutor said the city’s counts include violations for failing to close by the required hour, multiple noise disturbances, serving intoxicated patrons, and maintaining a disorderly or improper house.

Defense response and procedure: Attorney Jeff Murrell, representing licensee Jennifer Pierce, waived reading of the full complaint and said he would not stipulate to the factual accuracy of all reports but had no objection to admitting them into evidence as exhibits. After receiving a copy of the federal indictment, Murrell sought a recess to confer with his client. Back on the record, Murrell stated that Pierce would invoke her Fifth Amendment right and that she intends to voluntarily surrender her license; he asked for a short stay to allow the business to wind down through the license expiration on June 30. Murrell also made a record that Pierce denies the allegations.

The committee discussed whether an attorney’s public denial while a client invokes the Fifth would constitute testimony; the committee chose to deliberate in closed session under Wisconsin statute 19.85(1)(a). The panel voted to enter closed session, then reconvened in open session and announced its findings.

Outcome and next steps: Chair Grisham said the committee would not accept the voluntary surrender request and that the committee would proceed with the revocation recommendation. The committee requested a special Common Council meeting — likely to be scheduled on Friday, with logistics to be confirmed — so the council can consider immediate revocation of the Black Bar and Bites licenses. The committee chair also indicated the panel found the applicant unsuited for a bartender’s license in the city on the same record.

The committee recorded a roll call for procedural votes (entering closed session and reconvening) with Aldermen voting in the affirmative; the committee described its final finding as unanimous. The special Common Council meeting will set the formal action on revocation.

What wasn’t decided: The committee did not take a formal recorded vote on the revocation motion in open session; it made a recommendation and sent the matter to the Common Council. Pierce invoked her Fifth Amendment right and provided no witness testimony; Murrell’s public statements were admitted for the record by counsel but the committee limited further statement pending closed‑session deliberations.

Next procedural step: The Common Council is expected to receive the committee’s recommendation at a special meeting to consider revocation. Date and time will be announced by city staff.