Underage drinkers caught at keg party

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2002-06-18

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Underage drinkers caught at keg party ASHLAND - A group of Medford teens who were drinking beer in the woods Wednesday night were busted by sheriff's deputies from Operation Alcohol Coalition Enforcement (ACE). According to Jackson County deputy Greg Halley, 12 citations for minor in possession of alcohol (by consumption) were issued and one teen was charged with furnishing alcohol to minors. Halley said police seized three kegs. "We're still trying to determine where he (the teen) got the kegs," Halley said. Deputies were tipped off to the party by a phone call late Wednesday night. Police later located a large group of teens camping at the end of Emigrant Creek Road off of Buckhorn Springs Road. On their way into the campsite at 12:30 a.m., Halley said several teens attempted to drive away but were stopped and questioned by deputies. "It's a dead-end road. Some of them called back on cell phones that we were here," he said. "They couldn't sneak away." One boy, 15, was treated by medical personnel following several bouts of vomiting. He was later released to his parents. Halley said deputies eventually made their way to the campsite where a large fire was burning. "Half of them played like they were sleeping and the others ran into the woods," he said. However, the chilly, foggy night air proved too much the kids who ran off - all of them eventually came back to face the music, Halley said. ACE, which is comprised of officials from Oregon Liquor Control Commission, U.S. Forest Service and Siskiyou and Jackson County sheriff's departments, was formed in May. The organization focuses on underage drinking, illegal parties, campground safety and other alcohol-related problems.   Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.