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Last updated on Saturday, June 2, 2012
(SALEM) - A Salem couple is being investigated for allegedly supplying alcohol to minors at a weekend party following Salem High School’s graduation ceremonies Saturday afternoon.
The couple's daughter is a member of the graduating class.
Stephanie Taylor Ferriell, of the Leader-Democrat reports, one juvenile was transported by ambulance to St. Vincent Salem Hospital for treatment because the youth, whose speech was very slurred, was vomiting profusely.
John M. Mahuron, 51, and his wife, Laura Mahuron, 47, are being investigated for allegedly supplying alcohol to minors. Laura Mahuron is a teacher at Salem Middle School.
Police responded to their rural home, located at 1665 Rush Creek Rd., at 1:22 a.m. Sunday, arriving about 10 minutes after receiving an anonymous phone call reporting a party involving underage drinking.
The home is located at the end of a long gravel driveway, which officers noted was lined with vehicles. There were several juveniles, coolers and alcoholic beverages in sight outside the residence. When they saw the fully marked police cars, some of the teens took off running. Officers gave chase, catching several of the subjects.
As officers began interviewing the juveniles, several admitted they had been drinking. The report said officers were told this was a graduation party for Salem seniors.
When Deputy Allen Taylor spoke with John Mahuron and asked if he was aware of what was going on, Mahuron said yes. He also said he knew those attending were under the age of 21. When asked if he was aware that this is against the law and he could be in trouble for it, the report says Mahuron responded, "I will take it."
Officers administered portable breath tests to the juveniles. Eleven of the teens who were over 18 tested positive for alcohol. Ten of them tested negative.
Twelve of the remaining 14 juveniles, all under the age of 18, tested positive for alcohol.
Officers made the decision to not arrest anyone at the time, instead releasing the teens to their parents and forwarding information to the prosecutor's office for review.
The report states that Deputy Wayne Blevins made contact with one juvenile's parent on Tuesday. The parent and child came to the sheriff's department and the juvenile told Blevins he went inside the home where he saw both John and Laura Mahuron watching TV. The juvenile also said that both John and Laura Mahuron were aware of the party and what was taking place outside.
Prosecutor Dustin Houchin said he received the report Wednesday morning and had reviewed it. Houchin said he was waiting to speak with the officers involved before making a decision regarding charges.
Salem Schools Superintendent Dr. Lynn Reed said she is still gathering information about the alleged incident. She said she doesn't want to comment until she's been able to review the information. She said the situation will be dealt with in an appropriate manner. Reed said Mahuron has been a Salem school teacher for 12 years.
No charges have been filed at this time and the matter remains under investigation.
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