ANTIOCH, Tenn. (WTVF) — Three people are federally charged after agents raided two Antioch nightclubs on Sunday morning.
The U.S. Department of Justice said Rimon Salim, Anutahn Rhodes, and Jorge Luis were arrested for drug-related crimes, with agents alleging drug trafficking was happening inside Miami Club and Paisanos Bar and Billar on Antioch Pike. Luis is not a documented person in the United States, federal agents said.
Prior to federal agents and local officers showing up on Sunday, police had responded to 400 calls at the location since 2020. Authorities said those calls have been for fights, weapons, shots fired, individuals suffering gunshot wounds, theft, disorderly conduct and various other crimes.
"The extraordinary number of calls from citizens to police about these establishments justifies law enforcement efforts to hold these individuals accountable for their criminal activity," said Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire. "Night clubs like these, where illegal activity is rampant, are a blight on our city, and we will do what it takes to clean them up for the benefit of the community."
According to federal authorities, they were investigating those charged for 18 months.
Salim owns and operates Miami Club and Paisanos Bar and Billar. Paisanos operates as a nightclub on the weekends from 6 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. When Paisanos closes, Miami Club opens next door as an “after-party nightclub” from 2:30 a.m. to 7 a.m.
Law enforcement said they also used informants to purchase drugs from people in the nightclubs’ bathrooms. Between February 2024 and March, authorities alleged Luis sold informants cocaine in Paisanos’ bathroom on multiple occasions. In addition, between August 2024 and March 2025, authorities allege Salim, Rhodes, and others sold and provided informants methamphetamine and cocaine in Miami Club at different times.
"This operation exemplifies the effectiveness of collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies who have united to combat a drug trafficking operation," said Special Agent in Charge Joseph E. Carrico of the FBI Nashville Field Office. "The FBI remains committed to working with our partners to keep illegal drugs off our streets and holding those accountable for endangering our communities."
Salim is charged with maintaining a drug-involved premises and distributing controlled substances. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $500,000 fine for maintaining a drug-involved premises. He faces up to life in federal prison and a $10,000,000 fine for distributing controlled substances.
Luis and Rhodes are both charged with distributing controlled substances. They face up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1,000,000 fine for each count.
If you have more information about this story, please email me at Kendrick.Wright@newschannel5.com.
