Excise police officers cited 18 Ball State University students Thursday night at the Madhatter.
Officers investigated a complaint of underage drinking at the bar, where they issued 33 tickets to the 18 minors. According to a press release, excise officers made 14 citations for minor possession and consumption of alcohol, 15 citations for minor in a tavern and four for possession of a false ID. Two students were incarcerated while the majority of the students were issued citations and then released.
Chief excise officer Brian Lang said about 15 excise officers and a few University and Muncie Police officers surrounded the bar after excise received an anonymous tip that underage drinking was taking place at the bar. He estimated more than 300 people were there when the police arrived.
The students who were ticketed face up to a $500 fine for minor consumption, which is a Class C misdemeanor. They could also serve up to 60 days in jail, which is up to the judge's discretion.
As for the Madhatter, Lang said his office will file a report to the Alcohol and Tobacco Coalition, where a prosecutor can dismiss the citation or recommend anything from a fine to liquor license revocation.
"We were fortunate that nothing significant happened with such a large crowd," Lang said. "When you get a large crowd like that, it is very hard to control what goes on in that environment."
The Madhatter has been having 18 and older nights for the past few weeks on Thursdays.
"I've been going for the past month or so, and now it's the thing to do on Thursday nights," sophomore construction management major Ray Sexton said.
Madhatter owner Myles Ogea has yet to return phone calls made by the Daily News.
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