By Pattie Price
Francis Matarazzo, 67, and his wife Anita Milici-Matarazzo, 54, of Marple were held for a Sept. 13 arraignment in Common Pleas Court following a hearing Thursday before Magisterial District Judge Dave Lang on the charges of corruption of minors. The charges stem from an after prom pool party 2:19 a.m., June 3, at their home in the Crystal Forest Development.
According to the affidavit, Marple Sgt. Mike Johnson and Officer Joe McGettigan responded to a report of a loud party in the Crystal Forest development. While enroute police received a 911 hang up call from the Matarazzo residence. When police called the number back a woman answered and said there was a party at the end of the cul-de-sac but everything was fine.
Johnson and McGettigan arrived at the home and encountered a large pool party. They spoke to Mr. Matarazzo who was not happy to see the police. He explained that he was hosting an after prom party and that everything was under control. While speaking with Matarazzo, police saw numerous 15 and 16-year-olds fleeing into the wooded area around the house. Police saw numerous juveniles dropping beer cans and red Solo cups both inside the house and in the back yard.
When police reached the rear of the house they located more juveniles scattering into the house and debris from the underage drinking party.
When Johnson told Mr. Matarazzo that it was not appropriate to host an underage drinking party, Matarazzo said it was under control and it was better for him to host the party rather than have the kids out on their own. He also defended his actions by telling police that they were providing a safe location to have the party because the students were going to drink anyway, so it may as well be supervised.
Mrs. Matarazzo said there were between 36 to 40 kids at the Epsicopal Academy Junior after prom party and most of the kids were staying overnight. She also defended the alcohol consumption stating that she invited three friends to chaperone the party.
Surrounding police departments helped round up the juveniles. The chaperones did nothing to help police locate the missing juveniles. Mr. Matarazzo said he had people (chaperones) watching the juveniles at all times. Johnson explained that they weren’t watching too closely, as some of them were missing.
A beer bong was seized
The charges of furnishing liquor to minors and disorderly conduct were withdrawn against the Matarazzos.
The charges of furnishing liquor to minors and disorderly conduct were dismissed against chaperones Michael Taddie, 30, of Upper Darby; Michele Raimo, 32, of Laurel Springs, NJ; and Nicole Branca, 36, of Blackwood, NJ.