Mervin Miller

NAPPANEE — Mervin Dale Miller, 25, 29772 CR 52, Nappanee, was arrested and booked in the Elkhart County Jail after police responded to a report of a loud party at his residence. Officers found multiple persons under the age of 21 who had been consuming alcoholic beverages.

Police were called to the residence at 11:58 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5.

Miller, who was hosting the party, was arrested and charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and cited for a noise ordinance violation.

Officers with the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office found 41 individuals under the age of 21 on the property. Twenty of these persons were under the age of 18 and released to their parents, while the remaining 21, who were over the age of 18 but under the age of 21, were issued tickets for illegal consumption of alcoholic beverages and released at the scene.

Two minors, one 16 and the other 17, were transported by Nappanee EMS to Goshen Hospital for treatment due to consuming excessive alcohol. Officers and EMS personnel removed multiple individuals from cold vehicles who were passed out.

Those cited and released were:

Bremen — Brian Borkholder, 19; Dorcas R. Plank, 19; Thomas A. Borkholder, 18; Deandre Hochstetler, 18

Etna Green — Dora S. Slabaugh, 18

Goshen — Lyndon D. Byler, 20; Sarahann A. Schrock, 19

Ligonier — Freeman Yoder Jr., 18

Middlebury — David D. Yoder, 20; Jeremy D. Yoder, 18; and Isaac R. Miller, 18.

Nappanee — Aaron J. Miller, 19; Eric A. Yoder, 18; Lamar J. Slabaugh, 18; Lyndon J. Bontrager, 18; Eric D. Hochstetler, 18; and Matthew J. Chupp, 18

Shipshewana — Erica D. Fry 19; and Toby Detweiler, 18

Wakarusa — Suzanna R. Borkholder, 19

Arcola, Ill. — Marion J. Otto, 19

Elkhart County Sheriff’s Teenage Alcohol Reduction team responded to the call. S.T.A.R. is comprised of officers from the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office. The team’s focus is to target and reduce underage drinking and smoking. S.T.A.R. members continue to deter, intervene and detect underage alcohol violations by educating the community and taking a proactive approach to deterrence and intervention when needed.