N.Y. man to pay $1,000 in Wakarusa Fest charge

A New York man will pay a $1,000 fine and have six months of unsupervised probation for drug-related charges from last summer’s Wakarusa Music & Camping Festival at Clinton Lake.

Joseph P. Beuregard, 25, of Altamont, N.Y., was originally charged with possession with intent to sell ecstasy, a felony. But he entered a plea Thursday in Douglas County District Court to misdemeanor possession of ecstasy and marijuana.

“This is one of the last Wakarusa Festival cases hanging around still,” defense attorney Sarah Swain said in court.

More than 80 people from across the country were arrested for drug or alcohol charges during the festival at Clinton State Park, which was marked by heightened police presence.

But many defendants have had their charges either dropped or reduced to misdemeanors.

For example, three men initially charged with dealing marijuana – Oneilo P. Lopez and Sergio D. Lopez, of Taos, N.M., and Ryaji H. McCormick, of Arroyo Seco, N.M. – have entered diversion agreements. They’ll each be required to pay a $400 lab fee, $100 fine and $163 in court costs.