New York man pleads to misdemeanors in Wakarusa drug case

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.Joseph P. Beuregard, 25, Altamont, NY, was originally charged with felonies including possession with intent to sell ecstasy. 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 co-defendants initially charged with dealing marijuana- Oneilo P. Lopez and Sergio D. Lopez of Taos, NM and Ryaji H. McCormick of Arroyo Seco, NM -all have entered diversion agreements that could lead to charges being dropped. They’ll each be required to pay a $400 lab fee, $100 fine and $163 in court costs. -contributed by Eric Weslander.