An Orange County property owner is facing numerous charges after a party on his land attended by more than 2,500 people led to underage, intoxicated revelers wandering through traffic and numerous calls for assistance.

Dwight B. Poole, 60, is charged with six counts of aiding and abetting people under the age of 21 to consume alcohol, according to a release by the sheriff’s office on Friday afternoon. The large party, held on May 2, took place at Poole’s Smokehouse Valley Farm, an agritourism property located off Mill Creek Road in Cedar Grove.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said more than 75 calls for service related to the party were fielded within a six-hour period, a number which represents more than 37 percent of all 911 calls in the entire county during that time frame. The office says more than 25 officers from multiple agencies responded, and emergency medical personnel had to transport several partygoers to hospitals.

“Attendees parked along both sides of the road, blocking the flow of traffic,” said Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood in the release. “They obstructed driveways, left automobiles in the yards of neighboring property owners, and intoxicated individuals wandered between vehicles snarled in traffic. Many partygoers were underage, and people drove away from the event despite being significantly under the influence of intoxicating substances. Others were so impaired they passed out along the roadway.

“Responding law enforcement officers and medical first responders had great difficulty reaching those in need of assistance,” he added. “In my opinion, this gathering was of such a size and scope that the overall risk to attendees, community residents, and first responders was alarmingly high.”

Smokehouse Valley Farm — which did not have any details about the event shared on its social media — is listed on its Facebook page as an event space. The property is also the site of a party-turned-tragedy in 2018, when Cedar Ridge High School senior Rashiaya Melton was shot in the head during a party and later died from the injury. Poole did not face charges from Melton’s death because he required users of the property to sign a safety agreement ahead of the event — although the farm, at the time, was not sanctioned to hold such parties.

Poole has been ordered to appear in court on May 29.

 

Featured image via Orange County Sheriff’s Office

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
17-Year-Old Suspect Sought for Gunfire, Domestic Assault in Orange County Surrenders to Authorities
A 17-year-old wanted for a domestic violence incident involving gunfire turned himself in to the Orange County Magistrate’s Office on Monday.
Orange County Man Facing 14 Drug Trafficking Charges After Search, Arrest
Police arrested 35-year-old James Lorenzo Little on Thursday following a months-long investigation by the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Orange and Alamance County Authorities Complete Drug Seizure, Make 3 Arrests
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office recently made three arrests as part of a drug bust coordinated with several other agencies. A release from the sheriff’s office said search warrants conducted on July 6 and July 7 at a Mebane and a Burlington residence resulted in the collection of three kilograms of cocaine. Authorities also seized […]
Orange County Sheriff's Office Involved in Car Chase; Armed Suspect Later Killed
Orange County Sheriff’s Office assisted in a vehicle pursuit early Thursday morning with an armed suspect, who was eventually shot and killed by officers from different agencies. According to a release from the office, Bruswick County authorities issued a ‘be on the lookout’ warning of a motorist suspected of making harmful threats to himself and […]
Additional Agencies Join Orange County Search for Murder Suspect
Farrell was arrested Monday afternoon.**** Additional law enforcement organizations have been called in to assist as the Orange County Sheriff’s Office continues the search for a suspect wanted in connection with a fatal stabbing over the weekend. Authorities have obtained a warrant for first-degree murder for Mori Farrell Jr after authorities say evidence and […]
Orange County Reports First Fatality From Storm; Shelter Opens for Flood Victims
As the area continues assessing storm damage and waiting for high waters to recede, Orange County opened a public shelter at Smith Middle School.
Orange County Sheriff's Office Arrests Second Man in Connection to Break-In, Theft
The Orange County Sheriff's Office announced charges against two Rougemont men on Monday following an investigation into a residential break-in.
Orange County Sheriff's Office: 1 Arrested, 1 At Large After Attempted Burglary
A Durham man is wanted by local law enforcement after an attempted break-in and burglary of an Orange County business, a high-speed chase and car crash during the early hours of Thursday, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. A release Thursday afternoon said the office took out six felony warrants against 24-year-old Erlin Lopez […]
Orange County Sheriff's Office Investigating Discovery of Human Remains
Deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office are investigating human remains found off Hawk Ridge Road Saturday afternoon. According to a release, a person walking a dog found the remains at approximately 2 p.m. near the road, which is located off Dodsons Crossroad west of Chapel Hill. Investigators and a medical examiner are working to […]
2,500-Person Party Leads to Numerous Calls, Charges for Orange County Property Owner
An Orange County property owner is facing numerous charges after a party on his land attended by more than 2,500 people led to underage, intoxicated revelers wandering through traffic and numerous calls for assistance. Dwight B. Poole, 60, is charged with six counts of aiding and abetting people under the age of 21 to consume […]
›