A North Carolina landscaper landed himself in trouble after authorities said he hosted a “large, unauthorized” house party as the real homeowners were away on vacation.
In a statement, the Union County Sheriff’s Office said 37-year-old Michael Brown hosted the party at a Weddington home where he had previously been hired to do lawn maintenance. The suspect is said to have held the unauthorized party on Saturday, June 21.
“With the homeowners away on vacation, Brown took it upon himself to invite several hundred people to the home located near the intersection of Twelve Mile Creek Road and Beulah Church Road,” the statement said.
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Besides that, authorities said Brown also “charged each person attending the party an entry fee that he then pocketed.”
The Union County Sheriff’s Office said that deputies ultimately responded to the home after they received multiple noise complaints and traffic hazard reports. Authorities said that Brown initially posed as the homeowner when he spoke with the responding deputies, but they did not believe the suspect’s claim.
“After deputies didn’t buy his first story, Brown then said the home belonged to his grandparents,” the statement said. “After several additional epic failures at telling the truth, he finally admitted he was the lawn guy and had no relation to the homeowners whatsoever.”
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The UCSO said other law enforcement agencies had to respond to the scene to help clear the property because of the large number of people at the home.
“Many of the partygoers doubled down on their criminal behavior as they decided to leave the area recklessly in their cars, which led to numerous traffic stops,” the statement said. “Once the property was cleared of all trespassers, assorted property damage was found and deputies arrested Brown for the criminal offenses he had committed.”
Brown was ultimately arrested and charged with breaking and entering, second-degree trespassing, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, injury to real property, and obtaining property by false pretenses.
“Brown was specifically told he was a guest at our Detention Center, not a resident, and ordered not to throw any parties in our phone cell while trying to secure a bonding company,” the statement said.
Brown was later released after he posted a $10,000 bond. Following his release, Brown, in an interview with WSOC, said he was innocent of the allegations brought against him, adding that the party was held to celebrate his son and his son’s friends’ graduation. He also said he was sure the homeowners would still patronize his lawn maintenance services.
“I’m just waiting for them to come home, just so I can continue to build my relationship and we can move forward,” Brown said.
He also claimed minors were not served any alcohol, and he intends to organize another house party.
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