Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 17, 1990 TAG: 9004170533
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B2 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: New River Valley Bureau
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
Police issued 39 warrants from Friday to Monday against the 36 students, all of whom were released pending May 7 preliminary hearings in General District Court, Radford Maj. Jonny Butler said Monday.
The arrests capped a three-week investigation into illegal alcoholsales near the university that was prompted by increased complaints from neighbors about noise, parking violations and underage drinking.
Butler said police had investigated weekend parties at six off-campus houses over the past three weeks. On Friday, they obtained a search warrant for a house in the 600 block of Second Avenue where about 100 students were attending a party.
Police checked more than 75 drivers' licenses and found about 90 percent of the students were under the age of 21. Police also confiscated about six kegs of beer, Butler said.
Five other off-campus houses were checked and warrants were issued for charges ranging from the illegal sale of alcohol to aiding and abetting the illegal sale of alcohol.
The crackdown also was prompted when the police investigation found that students were being charged $2 apiece to attend the parties, Butler said.
"These kids are actually operating a business without a license, without going through all the legalities," Butler said. "And at $2 a whack, you're talking about some serious money."
Butler said university officials cooperated in the investigation and that more arrests are expected.
by CNB