Man charged under new keg law

The Daily Inter Lake

A man arrested last weekend at an underage drinking party is the first person in Flathead County to be charged under the new beer-keg registration law.

Michael Jacobi, 22, of Columbia Falls is charged with endangering, obstructing an officer and violating the keg-registration law.

The countywide Alcohol Enforcement Team was called Saturday night to Twin Lakes Road for a number of vehicles parked outside a house that should have been empty.

Inside was a mix of alcohol and underage drinkers, according to a report filed by sheriff's deputy and enforcement-team leader Travis Bruyer.

Officers cited 23 people at the party.

Jacobi is charged with defacing keg identification, a new violation that took effect in Montana in October. The penalty for that misdemeanor includes a fine of up to $500 and up to six months in jail.

The keg was traced back to Markus Foods in Whitefish, according to Detective Commander Bruce Parish of the Flathead County Sheriff's Office. There is reportedly video of Jacobi purchasing the keg.

Bruyer's report says the partiers broke into the house while the owners were out of town.

Whether or not burglary charges will follow will be up to the county attorney, Parish said.