Police: Brighton Carnival Closes For Sexual Misconduct
POSTED: Wednesday, August 1, 2007
UPDATED: 8:37 am EDT August 2,
2007
Police said they closed Brighton's Summerfest carnival Saturday afternoon after two of the carnival employees were arrested on charges of supplying alcohol to two local teenage girls.
Police said one of the employees allegedly had sex with a 15-year-old Brighton girl.
Juan Carlos McCray, 22, and Robert Villarreal, 20, were both arraigned and remain in the Livingston County Jail.
McCray was charged with three counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, which involves penetration, and supplying alcohol to a minor.
Villarreal was charged with supplying alcohol to a minor.
Livingston Police Chief Tom Wightman said "The two carnival employees supplied the girls, 15 and 16, alcohol and then one of the workers had sex with one of the girls."
Wightman said they weighed all their options and the decision to close down the carnival was in the best interest of the public's safety, especially because children were involved.
Wightman said another factor was the city had requested a list of the carnival employees so they could do background checks. The event organizers supplied them an incomplete list that did not include McCray.
The carnival owner, Bob Halifax, said he was not happy with the way police handled the situation.
He said there is a $20,000 cancellation fee with the contract and if the fee is not covered, his company, Family Fun Tyme Shows, will pursue legal actions against the city.
Halifax insists that a complete list of the employee's names was supplied to the city for background checks.
Police said the incident occurred on the grand opening of the carnival.
Police said learned about the incident when the 15-year-old girl went home and told her mom what had happened.
McCray remains jailed on a $200,000 cash bond.
Villarreal remains lodged on a $20,000 cash bond.
McCray is considered a habitual offender because he has a prior conviction for carrying a concealed weapon.
Summerfest remained open throughout the weekend, with the exception of the carnival; which is where the suspects operated the rides.
Police said one of the employees allegedly had sex with a 15-year-old Brighton girl.
Juan Carlos McCray, 22, and Robert Villarreal, 20, were both arraigned and remain in the Livingston County Jail.
McCray was charged with three counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, which involves penetration, and supplying alcohol to a minor.
Villarreal was charged with supplying alcohol to a minor.
Livingston Police Chief Tom Wightman said "The two carnival employees supplied the girls, 15 and 16, alcohol and then one of the workers had sex with one of the girls."
Wightman said they weighed all their options and the decision to close down the carnival was in the best interest of the public's safety, especially because children were involved.
Wightman said another factor was the city had requested a list of the carnival employees so they could do background checks. The event organizers supplied them an incomplete list that did not include McCray.
The carnival owner, Bob Halifax, said he was not happy with the way police handled the situation.
He said there is a $20,000 cancellation fee with the contract and if the fee is not covered, his company, Family Fun Tyme Shows, will pursue legal actions against the city.
Halifax insists that a complete list of the employee's names was supplied to the city for background checks.
Police said the incident occurred on the grand opening of the carnival.
Police said learned about the incident when the 15-year-old girl went home and told her mom what had happened.
McCray remains jailed on a $200,000 cash bond.
Villarreal remains lodged on a $20,000 cash bond.
McCray is considered a habitual offender because he has a prior conviction for carrying a concealed weapon.
Summerfest remained open throughout the weekend, with the exception of the carnival; which is where the suspects operated the rides.
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