Dalton police stormed a local nightclub Thursday night and arrested 14 people, including several Chattanooga college students, on underage drinking charges and two New York band members who threw feces into the audience.
Detective Capt. Charles Black said three undercover officers had initially stepped into The Wall, 2209 Mountain Road, to see if the owner was complying with city ordinances.
The officers, later backed up by about a dozen more lawmen, saw much more.
The band, "G.G. Allen," was said to have been defecating on stage and slinging it into the audience, Black said.
Band members arrested include Michael Kevin Allen, 35, and Donald Marc Sachs, 38, both of New York City. They are each charged with disorderly conduct and public indecency. They were free on bond this morning.
Police have not yet released the names of 11 others arrested on underage consumption and disorderly conduct charges. The business owner was also arrested.
Black said the department worked the case throughout the night and the report - nearly 20 pages long - was still incomplete this morning.
Most of those arrested are between 18 and 20 years old and have Chattanooga addresses. None of those charged appeared to be from Dalton. One person had a Chatsworth address, Black said. Booking officers at the Community Correctional Center said the Chattanooga residents told them they were students at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
The owner of The Wall, Tony Alvarez of Ringgold, was charged with keeping a disorderly establishment. Other charges are pending.
The Wall has a legitimate business license. However, it is not licensed to sell alcohol. Black said it appeared that customers were bringing their own alcohol.
The business is licensed to hold occasional concerts and skateboard tournaments, Black said.
Valerie A. Hoffman
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