2 more slapped with charges in Defiance drinking case

1/9/2004

DEFIANCE - Two more people have been charged with drinking offenses as a result of a party here Dec. 27, bringing to 11 the number charged.

Ryan Cassidy, 20, of Defiance was found guilty Friday of underage drinking and was fined $500. A 90-day jail sentence was suspended on condition that Mr. Cassidy has no similar violations.

In addition to Mr. Cassidy, a second 17-year-old juvenile also is facing an underage drinking charge. An official with Defiance County Juvenile Court said the court will not release information in either of those cases.

The drinking charges were filed after police chased two men at 5:30 a.m. Dec. 27 for throwing eggs at cars. One was caught, but the other, Garrit Nixon, 20, of Defiance went into the Auglaize River and is presumed drowned.

Police Chief Norm Walker said yesterday more charges are possible. So far, 10 people have been charged with underage drinking, and one was charged with furnishing the alcohol. Two of the 11 also were charged with disorderly conduct.