NEW ORLEANS -- A New Orleans bar owner has been arrested for allowing minors inside his bar, despite repeated warnings, according to the Louisiana Office of Alcohol & Tobacco Control.
Agents arrested Jason Jaume, the owner of The Hangar at 1511 South Rendon Street, according to Troy Hebert, commissioner for ATC.
Jaume was arrested Saturday by ATC agents and the officers from 2nd District of the New Orleans Police Department. He was charged with 38 counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The arrest comes after a May 4 incident when officers found 38 people under the age of 17, including a three-year-old, inside the bar, said a statement from Melissa Peri, a spokeswoman for the ATC.
Jaume’s arrest followed a complaint “alleging that family oriented wrestling events were being held at the bar,” said Peri, and, according to employees of the bar, the May 4 incident was the third wrestling event at the bar.
The business faces an administrative hearing on May 23 in Baton Rouge, and “The business is subject to fines up to $500 per violation, which can consist of each minor found on the premises considered as a separate count and violation, as well as possible suspension or revocation of their licenses,” said Peri.
A manager of the venue said at the time of the raid that he believes the citations issued were the result of a misunderstanding related to the wrestling match, which was a family event.
"Every minor in attendance was with a parent," said manager John Loup. "Had the promoter or manager known of the issue ahead of time, The Hangar would not have allowed the minors to attend. The Hangar is normally open two days a week and is proud of its record of not serving alcohol to minors.... We run a very safe, law abiding venue and have a good relationship with our neighbors."
