CDT - 20 at fraternity cited for underage drinking
Undercover officer goes to party, then obtains a search warrant
By Chris Krewson - Centre Daily Times
STATE COLLEGE — Twenty minors were cited for under-age drinking at a party early Saturday morning at Theta Chi fraternity, 523 S. Allen St., State College police said.
An ambulance was summoned for an adult male at the party who was unresponsive due to alcohol ingestion, police said. They said the male was taken to Centre Community Hospital. No further information was available.
The fraternity was charged with furnishing alcohol to minors.
A Pennsylvania Liquor Control Enforcement officer in plain clothes went to the party, Lt. Diane Conrad said.
The undercover officer saw minors with alcohol, Conrad said, then obtained a search warrant for the party, which had attracted more than 250 people.
Six State College police officers were then called to the party to help in handing out citations, Conrad said. Police found 36 minors in all, most of them Penn State students, Conrad said.
Conrad said the State College police work with Liquor Control Enforcement officers “several times a year.”
“But this year, because of increased tension, we’ve had them out more,” Conrad said.
Members of The Chi Fraternity refused to comment.
Conrad said the State College police were “definitely” looking for underage drinking.
“Although we expect it every weekend.” Conrad said. “And we will continue to be proactive in looking for It.”
The liquor enforcement officer was not specifically targeting a fraternity party, Conrad said.
“We go anywhere. Houses, apartments… we weren’t targeting fraternities specifically,” Conrad said. “He could’ve just as easily walked into an apartment.”