Tattoo parlor operator accused of dealing drugs

A Burlington resident and business operator is facing numerous felony charges after a search of his business produced far more than tattooing supplies Jan. 27.

Charles “Chip” Hinds, the operator of Fat Daddyz Tattoo and Piercing at 841 Milwaukee Avenue, is facing three charges of possession with intent to deliver illegal drugs, as well as charges of maintaining a drug trafficking place, possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The three possession with intent to deliver charges – involving marijuana, amphetamines and narcotics – are further enhanced because the business is within 1,000 feet of Hintz Park – the city’s Little League baseball fields. Those charges are listed as second and subsequent offenses as well.

Hinds is scheduled for an adjourned initial appearance Feb. 28 at 1:30 p.m. in Racine County Circuit Court, according to online court records.

According to the criminal complaint, a search warrant was executed on Jan. 27 by the Racine County Sheriff’s Department Metro Drug Unit. When officers arrived, they reportedly found Hinds, as well as his son and two employees. Hinds told the officers his wife actually owned the business, but he ran it.

One of the officers searched Hinds on a couch, where he reportedly found a white plastic bottle that had oxycodone hydrochloride in it, as well as a large amount of money, an iPhone and several forms of identification.

Officers then searched the business, and found more than 60 grams of a substance that tested positive for marijuana, 16 pills that turned out to be Adderall, more than 120 oxycodone and oxycontin pills, a metal spoon with a residue that tested positive for cocaine, .3 grams of a substance that tested positive for cocaine, two syringes and two capped needles and a Hookah smoking pipe.

Hinds’ son was interviewed as well as the two employees. They stated none of the items that were found belonged to them. Hinds did not provide a statement, according to the complaint.

Hinds also has two other open cases in Racine County Circuit Court – a monetary judgment against him and others, as well as a foreclosure judgment.

A judge imposed a $2,000 bond Monday, and Hinds met it for his release. The court also ordered him not to possess or consume any illegal drugs and submit to random drug testing while his case is pending.