Editor’s note: The charges against Stephen Wallace were subsequently dropped.
About two weeks after being charged with 10 counts of violating the Social Host law, Lowndes County Public Defender Steve Wallace, 60, was arrested Friday. And he was charged with an additional count of violating the Social Host law.
Wallace’s son, Steven “Colt” Wallace Jr., also was arrested and charged with the sale of liquor without a permit, the sale of beer without a permit, possession of beer by a minor and possession of liquor by a minor.
James Underhill, 20, of 99 Nancy Drive in Caledonia, was arrested Thursday and charged with possession of beer by a minor and providing beer to a minor. Josh Hauerwas, 22, also was arrested Thursday and charged with providing beer to a minor.
All four were notified of their warrants and turned themselves in to authorities. They were processed at the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center and released on bond.
The arrests were made after an investigation into a party held at Steve Wallace’s home, at 600 Aldridge Road in Caledonia, following the Caledonia High School prom.
Agents of the Mississippi Alcoholic Beverage Control and deputies of the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office conducted the raid at Wallace’s home around 2 a.m. April 1.
Also charged April 1 were Travis Blanton, 18, of 250 Winters Cove in Columbus. He was charged with possession of beer by a minor and disorderly conduct; Ethan Sims, 18 of 443 Mt. Vernon Road in Columbus, was charged with possession of beer by a minor; Steely Watson, 18, of 349 Molly Lane in Columbus, was charged with possession of beer by a minor; Justin Hauerwas, 19, of 720 Wolfe Road in Caledonia, was charged with possession of beer by a minor; Marandia Koening, 19, of 100 Burton Drive in Caledonia, was charged with possession of beer by a minor; Austin Mordecai, 18, of 2144 Crews Road in Sulligent, Ala., was charged with possession of beer by a minor and Michael Varner, 19, of 39 Ruby Lane in Columbus, was charged with possession of beer by a minor.
Two juvenile males, age 17, and one juvenile female, age 17, were charged with possession of beer by a minor. The three unnamed juveniles were charged and released to their parents.
Several other juveniles, who were drinking, but not in possession of alcohol at the time of the raid, were detained and released to their parents.
Steve Wallace denied any prior knowledge of the party thrown in his home by his son. Steve Wallace’s initial court appearance was scheduled for April 10. His case was continued until July 31. He is represented by attorney Carrie Jourdan.
Jeff Clark was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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