13 arrested after underage party in Ballston

BALLSTON — A dozen teenagers and an adult accused of providing alcohol have been arrested in connection with an underage drinking party over Thanksgiving weekend.

Most of those arrested face one count of third-degree criminal mischief, due to damage — estimated in the tens of thousands of dollars — done to the home on Randall Road. The owners' son hosted the party while his parents were away, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office.

Items in the house were also missing in the wake of the party, deputies said.

"There were a lot of people there, and it just got out of hand," sheriff's Lt. Jeffrey Brown said.

The damage done included holes smashed in walls and a fire extinguisher being discharged inside the house, Brown said.

Deputies said the party happened Saturday, Nov. 25. Sheriff's deputies responding to a 911 call about a possible burglary in progress at the Randall Road home found "a large underage party being held at the residence."

Brown said a lengthy investigation was required because of the number of people at the party who had to be interviewed, as well as the need to track down suspects, nearly all of whom are high school students. Brown said the investigation sought to tie specific people to specific acts of mischief during the party.

James Schmidt, 25, of Milton Avenue, Ballston Spa, was charged with first-degree unlawfully dealing with a child for allegedly supplying the alcohol for the party. He also was charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and endangering the welfare of a child, as well as felony criminal mischief, deputies said.

Others charged with third-degree criminal mischief, a felony, were Tyrese Reeves, 17, of West Circular Street, Saratoga Springs; Charles Bennifield Jr., 17, of Route 9N, Greenfield Center; Tyler Lumia, 18, of East High Street, Ballston Spa; Alana Dalton, 16, of York Avenue, Saratoga Springs; Angel Rogers, 17, of North Creek Road, Porters Corners; Chad Cruger Jr., 18, of Newtown Avenue, Saratoga Springs; Connor Pressley, 18, of Wagon Wheel Trail, Saratoga Springs; Tiffany McCarthy, 18, of East Avenue, Saratoga Springs; Dillon Poirier, 17, of North Greenfield Road, Porters Corners; and Ashton Perkins, 17, of Wagon Wheel Trail, Saratoga Springs. A 15-year-old, who was not named because of his age, was also charged with third-degree criminal mischief and third-degree tampering, for allegedly discharging a fire extinguisher inside the home, deputies said.

In addition to criminal mischief, several of those arrested are facing other charges:

Reeves was also charged with third-degree criminal tampering for allegedly discharging a fire extinguisher throughout the house.

Bennifield and Lumia were also charged with petit larceny for allegedly stealing items from the residence.

Riley Cage, 16, of Traver Road, Wilton, was charged with petit larceny, though he was not charged with felony criminal mischief.

Dalton was also charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, because she used a motor vehicle without the owner's consent, deputies said.

Most of those arrested were released pending future appearances in Ballston Town Court. Lumia was jailed on $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 bond. The 15-year-old was turned over to his parents, with the case to be referred to Family Court.

Investigator George R. Maxfield Jr. led the investigation.

Reach Gazette reporter Stephen Williams at 518-395-3086, swilliams@dailygazette.net or @gazettesteve on Twitter.

Pictured (clockwise from top left): Alana Dalton, Angel Rogers, Chad Cruger, Charles Bennifield Jr., Connor Pressley, James Schmidt, Tiffany McCarthy, Dillon Poirier, Tyrese Reeves and Tyler Lumia.

Source: 13 arrested after underage party in Ballston