Pubdate: Tue, 19 Sep 2000
Source: Blade, The (OH)
Copyright: 2000 The Blade
Contact:  541 North Superior St., Toledo OH 43660
Website: http://www.toledoblade.com/
Author: Kim Bates. Blade Staff Writer

8 ARRESTS RESULT IN ATTEMPT TO CLOSE CAMPGROUND

PORT CLINTON - Local officials said yesterday they will try again this 
year to close a local campground where eight people were arrested 
Saturday during an annual music festival.  

Seven adults and one juvenile were arrested on charges ranging from LSD 
trafficking to possession of beer following an undercover operation at 
the Golden Eye Campground.  

Earl Mack, a Toledo agent with the Ohio Department of Public Safety, 
said he will meet with Ottawa County officials about filing possible 
criminal charges against the campground's owner, Richard Carpenter.  

"We're going to just sit down with the prosecutor and the sheriff there 
and discuss this year's [sting] operation," Mr. Mack said. "We're 
hoping this particular [venue] and its operators become compliant with 
the law. There's just too many kids out there consuming alcohol, and 
there's just too many drugs.''  

The State Rt. 53 campground could be closed if Mr. Carpenter is 
convicted of being the keeper of a place where liquor is given away or 
furnished in violation of the law.  

Another possible charge against him could be allowing possession or 
consumption of alcohol on private property by underage minors. Mr. Mack 
said the arrests were made after law-enforcement officers did uncover 
surveillance at the annual Harvest Festival, which previously had been 
a gathering for members of the National Organization for the Reform of 
Marijuana Laws. The event is no longer a NORML-sponsored event, NORML 
officials said yesterday.  

Last year during the same festival, 19 people were arrested for alcohol 
and drug violations. At that time, state officials also said they would 
seek charges against Mr. Carpenter.  

They never did so, because of a lack of past violations, Ottawa County 
Prosecutor Mark Mulligan said. But the prosecutor said the latest drug 
bust could serve as additional evidence in court.  

"There's more history now," Mr. Mulligan said. "That's something we're 
going to look at."  

Mr. Carpenter is also facing five disorderly-conduct charges in Ottawa 
County Municipal Court for playing loud music on the property this 
summer. He is scheduled to appear on one of those misdemeanor charges 
Monday.  

The campground owner said yesterday that he was appalled by the recent 
raid. He said the bust was ironic, because the festival's theme was "to 
help legalize freedom in the U.S."  

"I don't know what they were trying to do this weekend," Mr. Carpenter 
said. "All I know is everyone's rights were violated."  

Mr. Carpenter said he will move ahead with plans for a music festival 
at the campground late next month. He also said the campground will be 
leased next year to a nonprofit group, Gerp, Inc., which will manage 
the site and furnish alcohol on the property.  

The campground owner said he has pleaded not guilty to disorderly 
conduct and will fight any other charges.  

Mr. Carpenter has maintained his innocence, saying he's a businessman 
who can't be held accountable for other people's actions.  

"They're more than welcome to charge me. I'm sure there are plenty of 
people who will help me with my defense of freedom. I have done nothing 
wrong. All I've done is run a music venue," he said. "I can't go out of 
business just because they're trying to scare me. That would be the 
same as suicide."  
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