News Update

POSTED: Sunday, Mar. 01, 2009

Sheriff's deputies arrest 40 people on alcohol charges at Custer house party

CUSTER — Whatcom County sheriff's deputies arrested about 40 people on Saturday, Feb. 28, after finding underage people drinking beer at a house on the 7600 block of Avery Way.

Deputies arrived at the house shortly before midnight on Saturday and found about 40 cars parked outside, said Sgt. Larry Flynn of the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office. By looking inside the windows of the home, deputies determined that about 100 people were inside — some of which appeared to be under 21 years old and drinking alcohol.

Deputies spoke with the homeowner, Miles A. Joanen, 63, who said he was throwing a birthday party for his 16-year-old son and denied that alcohol was being consumed by partygoers under 21, Flynn said.

Joanen was eventually arrested by deputies and booked into Whatcom County Jail on alcohol-related charges.

About 30 partygoers jumped out of windows and ran off into the brush while deputies were arresting Joanen, Flynn said. Officers from the Ferndale and Blaine police departments and U.S. Border Patrol agents responded and helped track down and arrest a few of the people who ran from the party.

After obtaining a search warrant, officers forced entry into the house and cited about 19 adults under the age of 21 for underage drinking. Officers also citied about 20 juveniles on alcohol charges and released them to their parents.

While searching the house, officers found Joanen's girlfriend, Levenia E. White, a 72-year-old Canadian woman. She was cited and re-leased for providing alcohol to minors and permitting minors to drink alcohol.

Deputies also found a keg three-quarters full of beer and cans of beer inside the house. Cocaine and firearms, including an 18-gauge shotgun, were found inside Joanen’s bedroom.

Joanen was booked into jail on suspicion of cocaine possession, providing alcohol to minors, permitting minors to drink alcohol and resisting arrest.