A weekend toga party may cost more than a cover charge for the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.
Local police say they found underage drinkers and issued multiple noise warnings at an off-campus house.
On Saturday at about 11:42 p.m., a University Police officer arrived at an “Open House Party,” at 304 NW 15th St., where the officer saw multiple toga-clad females.
As the officer walked onto the lawn, the party’s music blared. The officer saw 20 males and females dressed in togas waiting to get into the house.
“The property was enclosed with a plastic tarp, and there were two 'bouncers' at the entrance taking $10 a person,” wrote GPD spokesman Officer Ben Tobias in an email.
Hired security Tyler M. Eastridge, 21, and Andrew A. Gonzalez-Louis, 21, were checking IDs and putting on wristbands when officers arrived on scene. Gonzalez-Louis disappeared into the backyard to find the house’s residents.
Resident Andrew M. Molloy, 20, walked up to the officer along with Tyler J. Ericson, 20.
The officer told Eastridge, after speaking to the residents, that he would issue a noise warning, according to a GPD incident report. If the other residents didn’t come out, the officer would park and sit with his lights flashing.
Of the 12 residents who hosted the party, Andrew Molloy, Tyler Ericson, Jeremy W. Williams, 20, and Joshua D. Chapman, 20, came out with their IDs. They said they hired security and charged a cover so people could drink alcohol inside the house.
All of the responding officers explained that what they were doing was illegal, considering that they didn’t have a liquor license. They all understood that their actions were illegal and irresponsible, according to the report.
“The actual judicial affairs charges against the fraternity and/or their members would be determined by the staff from Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (SCCR) once they obtain/review all the information involving what took place and who was involved,” wrote UPD spokesman Maj. Brad Barber in an email.
The officers entered the backyard and found multiple unattended kegs of beer, and inside the house, they saw several bottles of vodka and champagne.
According to police, many participants looked underage, and some were intoxicated.
“Most of the attendees were under 21 years old,” Tobias said.
Beta house members and the above residents did not comment on police allegations.
UF spokeswoman Janine Sikes said UF is currently reviewing the fraternity’s alleged conduct at the party.
Alligator writer Hannah Fell contributed to this report.
[A version of this story ran on pages 1 - 4 on 7/29/2014 under the headline "Beta Theta Pi to appear in court for busted toga party"]
