Pubdate: Tue, 08 May 2007
Source: Daily Citizen (WI)
Copyright: 2007 Conley Publishing Group, Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.citizenol.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1152
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)

WEEKEND RAVE KEEPS POLICE BUSY

A rave party hosted in the town of Trenton kept local law enforcers 
on heightened patrol Friday night and early Saturday morning.

An estimated 100 people from Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, Iowa and 
surrounding areas flocked to the party at N8853 Highway A Friday 
night. The party - advertised on the Internet as "Total Mayhem '07" - 
resulted in traffic stops throughout the night and a slew of drug- 
and traffic-related charges filed against event attendees, according 
to Sheriff Todd Nehls.

At approximately 9:19 p.m., the sheriff's office received complaints 
of loud music coming from the party, and subsequently warned the 
event organizer that further violations would result in a municipal 
citations and possible criminal charges. Due to the size of the event 
and potential for illegal drug use, three deputies conducted 
aggressive patrol around the area.

Numerous traffic stops resulted in arrests for operating while 
intoxicated, possession of marijuana or other controlled substances, 
possession of drug paraphernalia and probation violations involving 
sexual offenders.

"The sheriff's department takes these types of events very seriously. 
Though they consume our available manpower, it is important to 
protect the public from those that leave these rave parties while 
under the influence of alcohol and numerous drugs," Nehls said.

According to Nehls, a vehicle leaving the party was stopped on 
Highway 151 near Hemlock Road just before 10 p.m. The driver was 
arrested for operating a vehicle while operating privileges were 
revoked, underage drinking, open intoxicants and he also admitted to 
taking Vicodin. Numerous other traffic stops were conducted for 
traffic violations. Subjects interviewed after leaving the rave 
stated cocaine, ecstasy, marijuana and other drugs had a clear 
presence at the rave.

At 3:03 a.m. dispatch received another loud music complaint from the 
party, and the event organizer was issued a citation for disturbing 
the peace. The subject stated he made all of the arrangements for the 
party and had permission from the property owner, who lives at the residence.

At 5:49 a.m., another vehicle was stopped leaving the rave and 
deputies observed the driver rapidly emptying a handful of what 
appeared to be pills into his mouth. He was seen rapidly trying to 
wash them down with water. According to Nehls, the driver refused to 
spit the pills out and a marijuana pipe and a bag of suspected 
marijuana was found in his pocket. The driver was transported to 
Beaver Dam Hospital for a suspected ecstasy overdose, but he refused 
to state what he had swallowed. The driver was arrested for operating 
while intoxicated, possession of marijuana and possession of drug 
paraphernalia.

Numerous other traffic stops resulted in operating while intoxicated 
and probation violation arrests, including a convicted sexual 
offender whom broke conditions of his probation by having a 
17-year-old female in the vehicle.

Nehls said many of the estimated 100 rave attendees were underage and 
had also brought their own alcohol to the event.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman