Indiana State Excise Police arrested 31 people for underage drinking early Sunday morning at 3240 Five Dollar Road, a house rented by Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity members.
“Right now all we can say is we are aware of the situation and we’re looking into it,” said Lucas Miller, the chapter’s president.
David Stetter, student development program adviser, released the following statement to The Shield Monday afternoon: “We are aware that an incident has been reported to the University. Student Development Programs is working with the Dean of Students Office to investigate and determine appropriate follow-up per University policies.”
Evansville and Vanderburgh Central Dispatch said two complaints were made just after midnight Sunday morning by neighbors of the residence.
They said one neighbor called in a noise complaint concerning loud music, then called back stating there was underage drinking and several people were driving erratically.
Another caller reported cars fleeing from the woods near the intersection of Five Dollar Road and Upper Mount Vernon Road, dispatch said.
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s office was dispatched to the location, where they turned the investigation over to Indiana State Excise Police at 2:06 a.m.
According to a press release issued by the Indiana State Excise Police, all 31 arrested were 18-20 years of age, with some testing as high as .183 percent BAC.
Charges related to furnishing alcohol to minors are still pending as officers continue their investigation, according to police.
All of those charged will appear in Vanderburgh Misdemeanor Court in December, police said.
Sigma Tau Gamma received its charter Jan. 4, two years after returning to USI as a provisional chapter and 12 years after the chapter’s alumni decided to close its doors.
A hazing incident in the spring of 1996 led to the chapter being placed on probation for four years.
The chapter received the McCune Distinguished Chapter of the Year award Aug. 3, which is granted to the best Sigma Tau Gamma chapter in the country.
UPDATE 12:00 p.m.: USI student and Sigma Tau Gamma’s social chair Matthew Bevers has been charged with aiding/inducing a minor to possess alcohol, according to a report The Shield obtained from the Indiana State Excise police.
Erika Staton, 20, who served as the party’s bartender, faces charges of possession of alcoholic beverages by a minor, which is pending with the Vanderburgh County prosecutor’s office.
Staton holds an employee permit to sell alcoholic beverages at a licensed establishment through the state Alcohol and Tobacco Commission. Officers identified her as having served several drinks to minors at the party. Her license could be revoked as a result of this case, according to the report.
31 others, aged 18-20, were charged with consumption of alcoholic beverages by a minor.