Three young adults, ages 18 and 19, were cited Friday for Possession of Alcohol Under Legal Age, following an investigation into a bonfire and party west of Essex. According to the Page County Sheriff’s Department, deputies responded to the area north of the Pierce Creek County Park campground at around 10:45-p.m., after receiving word of suspicious activity at that location.

When they arrived, authorities saw a bonfire with numerous people around it. As deputies approached, a large group of people began to flee. A foot pursuit by the deputies resulted in some of the party goers being detained. It was detemined those individuals were not of legal age to consume alcohol, and booze was found in the area of the bonfire.

Officials say 18-year old Mitchell Dale Steinkuehler and 19-year old Nicholas Tyler Allely, both of Shenandoah, along with 19-year old Tyler Wayne Miller, of Imogene, were cited for Possession of Alcohol Under Legal Age. Miller was also taken into custody for Interference with Official Acts. His posted a $300 bond and was released. Other persons attending the bonfire were determined not to have consumed alcohol, and were not charged.