Jackson Jambalaya

It appears Chris Epps' recent behavior inspired someone to imitate him over at the Black Diamonds "gentlemen's club" a few days ago.  The club was seized and shut down with the dreaded red sign and yellow tape in October after the owners failed to pay a judgement.  The plaintiff's attorney, Ben Wilson, told the court that the defendants had gone gangsta as he and his family were harassed, threatened, and followed since the club was closed. 


Ms. Harris filed a motion for contempt and sanctions against Black Diamonds and Daniel Owens yesterday in Hinds County Court.  She sued the strip club and its owner for assault and battery after an incident took place in 2014.  The court awarded $61,000 to Ms. Harris in March.  The judgement was not paid so the plaintiff obtained a writ of execution that allowed the Sheriff to seize Black Diamonds.  Hinds County deputies locked the doors and placed a big red sign on the door that said no one could enter the strip club without the permission of the Sheriff.

Someone was apparently colorblind and thought red meant green because the motion states that the red notice and tape were removed without the Sheriff's permission.  The motion included these photos that were taken Sunday:

The motion states:

The red Notice and tape on the doors have been removed by the Defendants without permission or consent from the Sheriff’s Department or counsel for the Plaintiff. (See Photographs of Black Diamonds taken on November 13, 2016, and attached as Exhibit 2). The attached photographs show that individual(s) associated with Black Diamonds have disregarded the seizure of the property, removed the Notice, entered the business, and likely removed items, goods, cash, or other valuables that may or could have satisfied the Plaintiff’s Judgment in whole or in part. Upon information and belief, the black Chevrolet truck parked in the rear of the business on November 13, 2016 is owned by Daniel Owens, Daniel “Danny” Owens, and/or Blake Owens.

The inspiration of Chris Epps

The deputies re-secured the premises for Ms. Harris:




 However, Ms. Harris's attorney, Ben Wilson, claims that the Owens family have been trying to intimidate him.  Mr. Wilson charges:

Further, upon information and belief, Daniel Owens, Daniel “Danny” McGee Owens, and/or Blake Owens are responsible for numerous threats, intimidation tactics, and harassment suffered by Undersigned Counsel, his family, and another lawyer and his small children. There have been unidentifiable and suspicious vehicles driving by Undersigned Counsel’s home and office, which have also been seen following Undersigned Counsel and his wife, as well as seen sitting outside Undersigned Counsel’s office. Further, Undersigned Counsel has received several threatening phone calls from unidentified persons and others associated with the Owens family and/or Black Diamonds demanding that Black Diamonds be reopened. This conduct should not be condoned. (See Affidavit of Benjamin H. Wilson, attached as Exhibit 3).

Mr. Wilson spells out his allegations in the affidavit:

 3. Following  the attempted  collection on the Judgment  against Black Diamonds  I have received  threatening  telephone calls from  unknown individuals  regarding the seizure of  Black  Diamonds  nightclub ;

4. I have also received phone calls from former and possibly current employees of Black Diamonds stating the seizure of Black Diamonds had angered Daniel Owens, Blake Owens, and/or Daniel "Danny" McGee Owens. It is my belief and opinion these phone calls were intended to threaten and/or intimidate me.

5. Upon information and belief, I believe that one or more unknown individual(s) associated  with  Black  Diamonds Nightclub have followed me in a vehicle and have driven by my home. It is my belief and opinion that this is intended to threaten and/or intimidate me.

6. On or about November 1, 2016, my wife advised me that she believed someone was following her in her vehicle and that  the individual had driven by our home.  It is my belief and opinion that this is intended to threaten and /or intimidate me.

7. On or about November 2, 2016, Lee Gladden, Esq., the owner of the  office building  where  my office  is located,  called Madison  Police Department  because  a suspicious  vehicle was  parked  with its lights on facing our  office at  or around  6:30 p.m. The vehicle had never been seen before. Mr. Gladden 's children were at our office that afternoon. This incident occurred at or arow1d the same time that I had received the threatening phone calls.

8. Upon information and belief, it is my belief and opinion that these phone calls, suspicious vehicles following me and driving by my home and office is related to the seizure of Black Diamonds Night Club.

Mr. Wilson and his client asked the court to impose a fine or imprison the defendants as well as a motion for Rule 11 sanctions against the defendant's lawyer.

There is also an interesting question as to who owns the club.  The Secretary of State's office states that a Black Diamonds of Jackson, LLC was formed on March 1, 2016 and the owner is Daniel McGee Owens. It states Daniel Daxon Owens is the registered agent for the company.   However, a notice was filed on September 8 that stated "Dax" Owens was resigning his position as registered agent.  But wait!  A Diamonds Black of Jackson, LLC was registered on the same date that stated Danny McGee Owens was the registered agent and member of the LLC. It is interesting in that an LLC was not formed to operate the club until after the judgement was awarded.  The property at 210 Parcel is owned by Danny McGee Owens.

It should also be noted that Danny McGee Owens was released from custody in February after serving 21 years in federal prison. Dax and Blake are his sons.  Who's on first?