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WILKES-BARRE — An entertainment promoter accused with shooting another man inside a Wilkes-Barre nightclub was arraigned Tuesday on felony assault charges.

Ronald Drayton, 46, whose last known address was on Abbott Street in Wilkes-Barre, was charged with shooting Marcese Cloward Grant in the leg July 10 during a melee inside Passion Lounge on Scott Street.

Grant survived the gunshot wound.

Drayton was captured by U.S. Marshals on Sept. 14 along Pacific Avenue in Brooklyn, New York, and recently extradited to Luzerne County on a felony assault warrant that was filed July 10.

Drayton was arraigned by District Judge Rick Cronauer in Wilkes-Barre on six counts of reckless endangerment, and one count of aggravated assault, illegal possession of a weapon and possession of a firearm without a license. He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $20,000 bail.

According to the criminal complaint:

A police officer in the area of Scott Street heard a gunshot just before 2 a.m. and saw patrons running out of Passion Lounge. Security at the lounge claimed a shot had been fired inside the club.

A 9mm shell casing was found inside the club and a Glock pistol with an altered serial number was found in the parking lot, the complaint says.

Surveillance cameras recorded a fight between several men before security staff broke it up. As security was escorting patrons from the club, another fight broke out, police said.

Drayton was recorded by surveillance cameras bumping Grant before brandishing a handgun and pistol-whipping him, the complaint says.

In return, Grant threw a punch toward Drayton. Security officers then grabbed Grant from behind, taking him to the floor. Drayton allegedly fired a shot that struck Grant in the leg before running out the door, according to the complaint.

Grant ran out of the club and showed up in the emergency room of Commonwealth Health Wilkes-Barre General Hospital where police found him.

Drayton claims to have 17 years experience in the entertainment industry and to be the founder of Black N’ Out Entertainment, according to his website.

Drayton’s Twitter feed stated on July 9 that he was at Passion Lounge promoting Troy Ave, a rapper from Brooklyn.

Drayton
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_Ronald-Drayton-website-7-10-15.jpg.optimal.jpgDrayton

By Ed Lewis

[email protected]

Reach Ed Lewis at 570-991-6116 or on Twitter @TLEdLewis