Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 3, 1993 TAG: 9304030154
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
FRATERNITY PARTY RAID BRINGS SEVERAL CHARGES
Town police charged six people with alcohol violations after raiding a Virginia Tech Sigma Nu fraternity party Thursday night.Undercover officers entered the fraternity house at 401 Progress St. shortly after 11 p.m. after paying a $2 cover charge for a publicly advertised party, according to a police news release.
Capt. William H. Brown said fliers had been posted around town advertising an April Fool's Day party. The fliers advertised a band as performing, noted that the event was "BYOB" or bring your own booze, indicated that yes/no stamps were available to distinguish between those who were at least 21 and those who were not, and that there was a $2 cover with proper identification.
Party organizers were charged under a law established in 1954 and aimed at "nip joints," Brown said. According to the law, the fraternity is considered a club and a license would be needed to keep alcohol.
The officers said they saw "a multitude of alcoholic beverages" being consumed by about 60 people attending the party.
Police were unable to determine from those arrested whether the $2 cover charge was for the band or for alcohol, Brown said.
All of the six people charged Thursday were seen performing distinct duties at the party, Brown said, including checking IDs.
"If they were just attending a party, they wouldn't have been charged," Brown said.
Jason Matthew Butler, 21, 401 Progress St., was charged with keeping or allowing alcoholic beverages to be kept upon the premises of a club.
Four people were charged with aiding and abetting Butler:
Bo Kyong Kim, 21, 511 Warren St.
Tae Gun Kim, 22, 302 College Park.
Jonathan D. Werner, 22, 401 Progress St.
Daniel Ryan Short, 22, 401 Progress St.
The five will be arraigned Wednesday with a April 28 court date set in Montgomery County General District Court's Blacksburg division.
A sixth person, Jessica C. Williams of Dumfries, 20, was charged with underage possession of alcohol. An April 21 court date has been set for her.
All were released on summonses.