UPDATE: Fairfax Police Identify Young McLean Residents Charged with Alcohol, Drug Offenses
Arrests at house party Westmoreland Street
Photos
Here are the names of the 12 people arrested by Fairfax County Police during a party on Westmoreland Street, according to police.
They were charged with drug or alcohol violations. The legal drinking age in Virginia is 21.
Last Name First Middle Age Charge City
BENNETT CARSON BOOTH 19 DRUGS: POSSESS MARIJUANA, MCLEAN, VA
BRUNNER-BROWN ROBERT 22 DRUGS: POSSESS MARIJUANA, MCLEAN, VA
FARES EL-RASHED 18 ALCOHOL: PURCH/POSSESS BY PERSON <21Y MCLEAN, VA
FARIS ALI 20 ALCOHOL: PURCH/POSSESS BY PERSON <21Y MCLEAN. VA
HUSSEIN SAMER 18 POSSESS MARIJUANA VIENNA, VA
KOHLER TAYLOR HUGGINS 19 ALCOHOL: PURCH/POSSESS BY PERSON <21Y MCLEAN
MODESTO CAROL 18 DRUGS: POSSESS MARIJUANA, MCLEAN, VA
MORRIS CASSADY 19 DRUGS: POSSESS MARIJUANA, MCLEAN, VA
POTASHNIK JACOB MICHAEL 19 ALCOHOL: PURCH/POSSESS BY PERSON <21Y MCLEAN, VA
VAUGHN MICHAEL 19 ALCOHOL: PURCH/POSSESS BY PERSON <21Y ARLINGTON, VA
WESTBY-GIBSON JOHN FRANCIS 19 ALCOHOL: PURCH/POSSESS BY PERSON <21Y MCLEAN, VA
YAZDANSHENAS ARSHAN 18 DRUGS: POSSESS MARIJUANA MCLEAN, VA
ORIGINAL STORY: Fairfax County police have arrested and charged 12 McLean young people with possession of marijuana or underage possession of alcohol after police responded to citizen noise complaints in the 1500 block of Westmoreland Street about two weeks ago.
The police said on May 10 the young adults ranging in age from 18-23 were allegedly consuming alcohol and marijuana in a home while the parent was away for the evening.
Police used the arrests to warn parents and children about the consequences of underage drinking in this season of graduations and proms.
Celebrations for joyous occasions such as proms and graduations are in full swing this month and police urge revelers to party safely but to be aware of the strict consequences of underage drinking, police said in a press release announcing the arrests and charges.
Police urge residents to celebrate the summer season sensibly and safely and to be aware of the laws regarding serving alcohol to minors. Members of the Fairfax County Police Department actively serve on the Fairfax Countywide Initiative to Reduce Underage Drinking (CIRUD) and the agency is committed to a community-wide approach on serious issues such as underage and binge drinking, police said.
Police remind residents that underage drinking is a serious offense with strong consequences. It is a Class 1 misdemeanor for anyone under 21 to buy, consume, or possess any alcoholic beverage. Penalties include fines, loss of driver’s license, jail time, and possible expulsion from school.
“Parents Who Host Lose the Most” is another county-sponsored program that targets information to parents as they plan and host their children’s parties. May is declared “Parents Who Host Lose the Most Month” and there are numerous ongoing efforts underway.
Parents can be prosecuted for hosting underage drinking parties. The initiative encourages parents to ensure social events are alcohol free and chaperoned, refuse to supply alcohol to those under age 21, and to make sure alcohol is not brought into the home or on the property.
To report underage drinking parties to police, call 703-691-2131.
John Jones
12:58 pm on Thursday, May 24, 2012
If they are 18 to 23, they're not minors, yet the police seem to be withholding their names.
Given that it's McLean, maybe it's because the names are familiar.....
Bobbi Bowman
2:23 pm on Thursday, May 24, 2012
Dear John, Police did not withhold the names. We wanted to make sure we had all the names so that we could publish a complete list. We have now published that list.
Dieder Von Cunth
5:24 pm on Thursday, May 24, 2012
Why does this make headlines?
Dieder Von Cunth
5:26 pm on Thursday, May 24, 2012
Didn't we all drink when we were young? I think a warning would have been more appropriate but then again we live in Mclean and the police have nothing better to do.
Johnny Depp
9:08 pm on Thursday, May 24, 2012
There is something severely wrong with writing a story about the members of our community without having all of the details first. Note: NONE of the adolescents mentioned in this article were actually arrested. And none of them have been found guilty of any of the charges against them
John Westby-Gibson
9:41 pm on Thursday, May 24, 2012
It's funny how this article makes it seem as though Fairfax County Police are trying to "warn parents and children about the consequences of underage drinking in this season of graduations and proms" with the arrests of my friends and I. But there is one thing that is not mentioned in this article and that I am sure the officers failed to reveal. Almost everyone at the house was charged with alcohol possession and the officers made two people drive everyone home. Taylor Kohler and Fares El Rashed, both given alcohol charges and Taylor being the only one who was breathalyze-d, were the ones who were forced by these fine officers to drive home anyone who had been drinking. Many of us lived within walking distance but when people asked to walk home, the officers threatened us with "Drunk In Public" charges and in that way forced us to ride with minors whom they found to be intoxicated. So somebody please tell me; how can these police officers or the writer of this article even pretend as though the right thing was done that night? They came for a noise complaint, illegally entered my residence without consent, charged every single person for things everybody does, and then received their own noise complaint during their long "investigation" from my neighbors. These charges should be dropped and these irresponsible officers should get in some sort of trouble for putting the lives of myself, my friends, and anyone else on the road that night at risk.
Bob
9:28 am on Friday, May 25, 2012
Doesn't seem like there's anyway to prove this.
If the car crashed while driving home you would have a nice lawsuit on your hands.
Rue
1:34 pm on Friday, May 25, 2012
Actually you can check the times the charges and then use people's parents who witnessed the time they came home. Why does someone have to crash or get hurt to prove police misconduct? You shouldn't be punished for somehow getting home safely in this situation.
SuperG
11:17 pm on Sunday, May 27, 2012
Dude. If you haven't figured it out before now, from time-to-time the cops do make examples of people, especially those who fail to heed repeated warnings or are not discreet about things. Be smarter. Keep the music low and stay inside. I know you're young and thinking like that is hard especially when high and/or drunk.
You're right in some ways the times have changed, but the laws haven't. I behaved similarly at your age. I never got in trouble although there were a couple close calls. But drunk in public, minor in possession of alcohol, and possession of a controlled substance are still illegal. The "but everybody does it" defense won't go over well with a judge. The fact that a majority of voting age Americans feel that marijuana use and cultivation should be legalized hasn't lead to that happening.
Also, Virginia has some very intrusive laws that could get your parents in serious trouble if they are perceived to condone underage drinking in their home.
Maybe your parents have powerful or influential friends who can find a connected lawyer that can get your record cleared via probation with community service and/or counseling or even dismissed charges. Living in McLean this is certainly likely.
Good luck.
doug kohler
1:37 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
The way this whole thing went down was very shady and wrong. The police were just out to make an example of everyone, and to my knowledge of the events, handled this situation in a very questionable manner. Funny thing about the article is that it makes it seem like this had something to do with high school kids, prom, graduation, etc. You all are in college and it was just a hook up of old friends on break from school. There are things here I don't condone - however the sanctimonious morality of the author, without having the details is dubious at best.
Johnny Depp
10:41 pm on Thursday, May 24, 2012
In the above comment someone attempted to speak on my (Carson Bennett) behalf. I in no way have anything to do with the comment above - Carson Bennett
Ali Abdalla
11:09 pm on Thursday, May 24, 2012
jj
Ali Abdalla
11:10 pm on Thursday, May 24, 2012
What right do you have publishing these names in public?
Bobbi Bowman
10:36 pm on Sunday, May 27, 2012
We have deleted a comment because it made involved name calling and personal accusations about others. Therefore, the comment did not meet our standards for civil discourse.
doug kohler
1:21 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Bobbi - You obviously are not aware of the details of what happened that night or since then. Do you not think that you should also be responsible for going back and removing the names of those who justifiably had their charges dropped? My son had his charges dropped, because he wasn't involved, did not have alcohol on him, had not been drinking and was not even on the property - but drug inside by the police when he stopped on the street outside.
Carson Bennett
12:42 am on Monday, May 28, 2012
Hey Bobbi,
Do you think you could delete the comments made by the member under the name c Bennett? It seems as though someone is impersonating me on this page. It would really be a huge help if you could simply remove the comment.
Sec
1:20 am on Monday, May 28, 2012
The police have been to this residence MANY times in the past couple of years. Warnings have not worked. The mother is well aware of what goes on there and either doesn't care or just has no control. John was once awakened by the police with guns drawn because he came home and passed out in the wrong house. I personally don't have much of a problem with 18-21 year olds drinking and smoking pot at home with friends, but their level of disrespect for neighbors (these are town homes) after repeated visits from police is baffling to me. Glad to see the house is under contract and they'll be moving soon.
Carson Bennett
11:37 am on Monday, May 28, 2012
Hey sec just so you know that isn't true what you said about John passing out in the wrong house. Why dont you stay out of other peoples business when youre knowledge of the incident stems from rumors and not facts.
Bill Babinko
8:47 am on Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Carson, what "Sec" stated is exactly true. I heard the story first hand from the folks who lived in the house where John passed out - pretty much everyone in the community has heard the story. If you check the police files, you would learn that John was arrested for public intoxication, and unlawful entry. He escaped charges for "breaking and entering" and "illegal entry" because the folks living in the house at the time declined to press charges. Maybe instead of trying to defend John, you should be trying to help him stay out of trouble. The comments from "SuperG" above says it best.
Jayne
7:45 am on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Oh my God, this one time I hooked up with a FCPD officer then I got HIV+ and now I sit in Ashby Ponds all day and wait for my life to go pass by.
Winston
12:31 am on Saturday, August 4, 2012
Perhaps the author can be sued for libel...considering none of these people were arrested, only charged.