Long Island Teen Hit With Criminal Charges For Allegedly Hosting Underage Drinking Party

Editor's Note: This story was revised on March 21, 2019, following a judge's ruling to dismiss charges and seal records related to the case.

MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A Long Island high school senior was slapped with criminal charges this week – just before graduation.

As CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff reported Friday, a 19-year-old was accused of hosting a party where underage teenagers were drinking. And as Lynbrook High School students prepared for prom and graduation, the youth was preparing to appear before a judge.

Nassau County police said the suspect threw a party midday Thursday – a senior cut day. A total of 70 kids showed up – between the ages of 18 to 20 -- drinking alcohol, police said.

Neighbors called 911, and police arrested the 19-year-old.

"He, at the time, was in control of the premises and became the responsible party," said Nassau County police Deputy Inspector Gary Shapiro.

Neighbors on Lloyd Avenue said the man is a good kid and an all-conference basketball player. But he has found himself headed now to a different kind of court.

"I'm surprised. I'm surprised," one man said. "But then again, the law is the law."

"He's just a kid, you know?" another man said. "But choices are made, and choices can be bad."

Officials said violating the state's social host law is not a minor issue. It's illegal for anyone over 18 to allow minors to drink alcohol in a home they own or rent.

If parents are not home and are not aware of the drinking, they're not liable. But their child -- if over 18 -- can be.

"Most of this was during a school day where the parents – as well as most of the other attendees – it was understood they would be in school," Shapiro said.

High school students told CBS2 they're well-schooled in the social host law -- by their parents.

"They tell me that, you know, it would be their responsibility if someone was like, God forbid, to get hurt," one woman said.

A father added: "Personally I would never allow my kids to do that. It just seems like it opens up a whole litany of problems."

But as Gusoff reported, the message sometimes gets lost when well-intentioned parents view underage drinking as a rite of passage.

Violating the social host law could not only result in a misdemeanor conviction, but also up to a year in jail.

The youth's father declined to comment.