Woman charged after raucous party

Officer's report said that it appeared to be a strip club

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By KATIE LESLIE

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

What initially appeared to police as a strip club inside a Lawrenceville home was likely a party that became out of control, police said.

Gwinnett County Police Lawrenceville resident Constance Trahan has been charged with maintaining a disorderly home.

Gwinnett County Police Lester Ramirez, 20, was charged with possession of alcohol and marijuana and lying about his age.

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“The officer put in the report that it appeared to him it was a strip club, but whether it was or not, we didn’t see that,” Gwinnett Police Spokesman Cpl. David Schiralli said Wednesday.

Police responded to the home of 28-year-old Constance Trahan around 2:30 a.m. on July 18 after receiving a noise complaint.

Neighbor Jim Ferguson, who called the police to complain about the home in the 1400 block of Purcell Road, said he saw several teenagers roaming the area and that dozens of cars were parked on his street and around the block. Ferguson said the home had at least 200 party-goers that night and that the home often hosts rowdy gatherings.

In the incident report, the officer noted that a seemingly intoxicated party-goer, 20-year-old Lester Ramirez, said that there were “dancers in the garage and basement area.” However, such dancers or evidence of a strip club were never found or confirmed, Schiralli said. Rather, teens interviewed about the home later said it was a “safe” place for them to party, he said.

Police also said they found a sign that read “1 Dollar Jello Shots,” along with minors consuming alcohol.

Trahan has been charged with maintaining a disorderly house, a misdemeanor, and remains free on a $1,300 bond.

Ramirez, who told officers that Trahan sold alcohol at the party, was arrested and charged with providing police a false date of birth and for alcohol and marijuana possession after police found pot in his mouth, according to the report. He has since been released on a $3,900 bond.

Trahan’s friends say there is no club at the home .

“It was a regular gathering,” said Christyan Hall, who lives with Trahan. “It’s just a misunderstanding.”

The July 18 party was the latest in a series of noisy gatherings at Trahan’s home, neighbors said.

Ferguson said he also called police last month after being awakened to excessive noise and traffic in front of his home.

-- Staff writers Megan Matteucci and Alyse Knorr contributed to this report.