After five deputies arrived at a summer beer party out in the country, alcohol was dumped and 22 underaged individuals were lined up to take portable breath tests. Eight people were charged with a misdemeanor in Greene Superior Court early this morning and some others have been referred to juvenile authorities.

Deputy Camron Frye of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department was dispatched to the area of Taylor Ridge Cemetery on Taylor Ridge Road around 10:50 p.m. on Saturday, August 3.

Dispatch had received a call from an individual who wanted to remain anonymous but wanted to report that around 20 vehicles went up a hill near the cemetery. Concern was expressed about elderly residents in the area.

When Deputy Frye arrived at the cemetery, multiple vehicles were parked there. He searched the area but he couldn’t find anyone around.

Additional officers were dispatched to assist. GCSD Deputies Davis Aerne, Zachary Goad, David Elmore and Reserve Deputy Gluch responded.

Deputy Frye was waiting on them to arrive when he was advised all four deputies were out with numerous individuals at the top of a hill up the road from Frye’s location.

When Frye arrived on site, there were more vehicles and people and he saw a table set up for a drinking game called “beer pong” along with alcoholic beverages such as Busch Light and Coors Light.

All of the individuals were relatively young and they determined the oldest person there was a man who was 21 years old. The 21-year-old said he had just arrived at the party right before the officers arrived and he denied supplying the alcohol.

Deputy Aerne instructed the party-goers to line up into two lines, one for everyone who was 18 years old and older, the other for everyone who was 17 years or younger. Deputies Frye and Gluch then administered portable breath tests to everyone in the line for 17 years and younger, and Deputies Aerne and Goad administered portable breath tests to everyone in the line for 18 years and older.

As the lead investigating officer, Deputy Frye made a chart of everyone tested that included their names, dates of birth and their BAC recorded during the breath tests.

Of those 18 and older, the 21-year-old registered -0- for alcohol and five others, aged 18-19, also registered -0- for alcohol on the portable breath test. Eight individuals tested with various levels of BAC including: Stephanie Henry, 19, .011; Kenneth Quakenbush, 19, .008; Logan Burkhart, 18, .037; Grant Parker, 19, .033; Alec Morris, 19, .009; Craig Parsons, 20, .009; Jackson Vaughn, 18, .018; and Casey Norris, 18, .018. (Ages listed are their ages at the time of the incident.)

Of those 17 and younger, names have not been released because they are juveniles: Five individuals, one 15-year-old and four 17-year-olds, registered -0- for alcohol on the portable breath test. Four individuals tested with various levels of BAC including: 17-year-old at .098; 16-year-old at .065; 17-year-old at .033; 17-year-old at .012.

Deputy Frye contacted the parents of all those under the age of 18 and advised those who registered with a BAC that information would be forwarded to juvenile probation. He advised all those 18 and older who registered with a BAC that the results would be forwarded to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office.

Deputy Frye reported all alcoholic beverages were dumped out and all of the party-goers were sent home.

Deputy Frye reported, “Individuals 18 years or older, who were at or above a BAC of .033, were not allowed to drive and found rides with other individuals. Individuals under the age of 18, who had a BAC above .000 were not allowed to drive and found rides with other individuals. To the best of my ability, I notified parents of individuals under 18 and made plans to have them picked up or go home with somebody.”

The land where the party occurred was part of a land trust so there was no individual owner.

Information on juveniles was forwarded to juvenile authorities.

Criminal cases were filed against eight who were summoned to appear in court early this morning, Thursday, October 3. All appeared and their cases are scheduled back in court for pre-trial conferences in November: Stephanie M. Henry, Bloomfield; Kenneth R. Quakenbush, Bloomfield; Logan Burkhart, Bloomington; Grant A. Parker, New Harmony; Alec D. Morris, Plainville; Craig M. Parsons, Newberry; Jackson E. C. Vaughn, Solsberry, and Casey J. Norris, Bloomfield.

All were charged with illegal possession of an alcoholic beverage, a Class C misdemeanor.