Albemarle County Police Bust Underage Drinkers At Party

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Albemarle County Police Bust Underage Drinkers At Party The Albemarle County Police Department busted 25 people early Thursday morning after responding to reports of a party. Reporter: Cheryn Stone Email Address: cheryn.stone@wcav.tv

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July 5, 2007

The Albemarle County Police Department busted 25 people early Thursday morning after responding to reports of a party on Meriweather Lane.

In total, 25 people were charged with 30 offenses. Fifteen adults over 18 were under the legal drinking age of 21; they were charged with Underage Possession of Alcohol. Two of them were also charged with obstruction of justice.

Ten juveniles were also charged with Underage Possession of Alcohol. Three of them were charged with obstruction of justice.

Commonwealth's Attorney Jim Camblos says, "The lesson here is it is illegal for children to drink. The lesson is the one that I don't want them to ever have to learn is going to the funeral of one of their friends; that's the lesson I don't want them to learn."

Officials say 18-year-old Stephen Ernst was the host of the party. We spoke to Ernst who has no comment at this time.

Police do not think the parents were home or even in the country at the time of the party.

Sergeant Glenn Fink with the Albemarle County Police says, "None of these people were driving at that time; not to say that they wouldn't have been driving later on if they hadn't been caught at that house. I guess on one side of it it's good that we caught them; they’re instead of on the road before they killed somebody."

Police say the blood alcohol content of everyone 18 or older was as high as .11 and the BAC's of the juveniles were as high as .12.

Police are still looking for whoever supplied the alcohol.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Cville on Jul 10, 2007 at 11:36 PM

Glad no one was hurt...looks like globe-trotting mom and dad need to spend more time at home.

Posted by: Jenne Hicks Location: Toronto, Canada on Jul 8, 2007 at 10:03 PM

OMG.. this is so ridiculous. Stephen Ernst is my cousin, and is an incredibly responsible individual. I think it's disappointing that the cops in the USA have nothing better to do. I agree with many others when I state that I am apalled that an 18 year old in the States can operate a fully automatic machine gun but can't even have a rum and coke. Good lord, after reading this article.. do I feel lucky to live in Canada!

Posted by: S Location: Earlysville on Jul 6, 2007 at 08:24 PM

I am a 19 year old who was at this party. Everyone I knew at the party was being just as responsible as any 21 year old suddenly becomes when one their birthday. No one was driving who had had a sip of alcohol. Yes, myself and many of my friends were drunk, but all who were drinking planned on either spending the night, or like me, had a DD to get home. There wasn't any hard liqueur at the party nor any fireworks. The top BAC recorded was .12, and that number is hardly dangerous. Many of my friends blew under .08 and one blew .00 and was still given a ticket. Others were not even asked to take a breathalyser and were just given citations. On July 1st the law changed so that now anyone underage that is even at a party where there is alcohol can be given underage possession. I think this is unfair; someone who is the DD or just refrains from drinking can be punished. As for me, I ran away from the house and was picked up by my brother. I understand the concerns of the police, and I completely am against drinking and driving or excessive drinking. I think the law should be enforced only as a secondary offense to other charges such as drunk driving, speeding, drunk in public, etc. Maybe its my underage mind that apparently not mature enough for beer, but I can die for this country in war, pay taxes, and vote, it just seems stupid to me that I cannot legally be responsible with alcohol.

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