14 minors cited for drinking

Staff Reports

Fourteen teenagers were cited for underage drinking after deputies were called to a party at a house in the 900 block of Casey Lane early July 28.

One of the party-goers, a 15-year-old girl, was referred to juvenile probation.

The rest appeared Aug. 14 in East Fork Justice Court and were cited for minor consuming.

Depending on any prior offenses, penalties ranged from $91 to $187 fines and probation under the supervision of the Department of Alternative Sentencing.

A 19-year-old Gardnerville resident was taken to Douglas County Jail after becoming argumentative with deputies who were called to the residence at 1:20 a.m.

When the first deputy arrived, he observed 20 teenagers running outside on the front lawn and requested backup.

A 27-year-old woman arrived shortly after the deputies and identified herself as the home owner.

She allowed deputies to enter the residence where they found numerous open cans of beer and a beer keg. She was not cited.

Sheriff's Sgt. Tom Mezzetta said minors can expect to be prosecuted for illegally consuming alcohol or other controlled substances.

"Aside from the criminal ramifications of fine and incarceration, quite often permanent disability or even death occurs due to alcohol poisoning or by careless acts committed by the intoxicated minor," he said.

"The laws are clear: You must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages," Mezzetta said. "The sheriff's office will not - cannot - extend leniency in these matters."