A Nebraska man is facing numerous charges after he was caught hosting an underage drinking party. He was apparently found hiding behind a moving wall inside a barn loft after deputies obtained a search warrant.
The York County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to a rural residence on Oct. 10 around 10:42 p.m. after they received reports of an underage drinking party that occurred after a school’s homecoming.
The sheriff’s office said it took place at 1512 Road U, which 51-year-old Chad Stuhr owned. It wasn’t until around 1:38 a.m. on Oct. 11 that deputies returned to the residence with a search warrant, with assistance from Nebraska State Patrol troopers.
Inside a barn loft, law enforcement reportedly found 28 minors and numerous alcoholic beverage containers. Several juveniles at the party told investigators that Stuhr was the only adult present and that he was participating in the party.
Hiding Behind the Wall
When deputies executed the search warrant, they found Stuhr hiding inside a concealed room behind a movable wall in the barn loft. Law enforcement then took him into custody.
A search of the property turned up marijuana, a bayonet, and roughly 62.7 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, along with alcoholic drinks, the sheriff’s office said.
According to the sheriff’s office, several juveniles said they saw Stuhr drinking alcohol, while others described his behavior towards young girls as uncomfortable or inappropriate. Investigators say they received a disclosure alleging inappropriate conduct between Stuhr and a juvenile at the party.
The Charges
Authorities say Stuhr was arrested and booked into the York County Corrections on 11 charges. The charges include possession with intent to deliver psilocybin or psilocin, second-degree sexual assault of a child, child abuse, and procuring alcohol for a minor.
He also faces charges of possessing a deadly weapon as a prohibited person, possessing a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, failing to affix a drug tax stamp, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
The remaining charges are theft by receiving stolen property worth $500 or less, second offense; first-offense possession of less than one ounce of marijuana; and possession of drug paraphernalia. The sheriff’s office did not provide further details about the theft allegation or the reported contact with a juvenile.
An attempt to locate Stuhr’s booking information was unsuccessful, so any information regarding his bond, booking time, or court dates could not be independently confirmed.
Investigation Remains Open
The York County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains ongoing and is asking anyone with information about the party or other possible incidents involving Stuhr to come forward.
Anyone with information can contact Sgt. Taylor Samek or Investigator Nolan Janzen with the York County Sheriff’s Office at 402-362-4927. The department also thanked the Nebraska State Patrol for assisting with the investigation.
All parties are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.