EAST ATLANTA — After complaints of alleged illegal activity, Atlanta police officers went to the Asylum Restaurant & Lounge early Wednesday morning, seized the establishment's alcohol and arrested the manager, Couri Antonio Williams.

Williams is charged with operating a business ouside allowed hours of operation, selling alcohol without a license, not having a business license, storing alcohol without a license and failure to display a license. Williams, who, according to his Facebook page, lives in Lithonia, is no stranger to the criminal justice system.

In 2004, he pleaded guilty to carrying a concealed weapon and no contest on a marijuana possesion charge. He was arrested on other charges in 2003 and 2011, according to DeKalb County records. The action, which occurred at about 7:15 a.m., follows months of grievances lodged against the bar at 543/551 Flat Shoals Ave. SE.

And it follows what apparently had been an ongoing investigation into the operations of the bar, which may have been operating illegally since it lacks a city liquor license. There also is an ongoing question about its ability to sell hard liquor and have live entertainment within 300 feet of a house.

Brian Michael Sawyer, an owner in Asylum, did not return a telephone call seeking comment Wednesday.

But Sawyer, who, according to Project Q Atlanta has a history of woes in his past ventures, told the magazine he didn't know about the police action or the arrest.

"I have no idea. I am in Nashville," the magazine quotes him as saying. "I have no clue what anybody is talking about. I am visiting my mother. "What really chaps my ass is this (explative) over this crap continuing," Sawyer continued, as he threatened legal action against the publication.