A West Boca homeowner whose October house party drew more than 300 juveniles into his neighborhood now faces a criminal charge. Jason Douglas Watt, 54, of 22355 Collington Drive, was served a notice to appear for a misdemeanor count of allowing an open house party where minors had alcohol or drugs, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. The notice was filed in county criminal court.
The party took place Oct. 24. Watt was not arrested at the scene, according to an earlier report from BocaNewsNow.com. The probable cause affidavit, sworn Nov. 3, says a deputy responding to a loud party complaint found teens walking in the middle of the road and spilling across lawns. The crowd was so dense that emergency vehicles could not get through.
A security guard was posted at the front door when the deputy arrived. Watt came outside, told deputies the party was over and said it was meant only for West Boca High School students before other juveniles arrived. The deputy documented empty BeatBox and White Claw containers across the neighborhood, including on Watt’s front lawn. Dispatchers also took calls about teens leaving the party, causing a disturbance and damaging mailboxes.
Watt is scheduled to appear Nov. 19 at 8:30 a.m. at the South County Courthouse in Delray Beach. He was not taken into custody. The charge is an allegation, and he is presumed innocent unless a court finds otherwise.
The case is a reminder for parents and homeowners in Boca Raton that hosting gatherings where minors drink can bring criminal exposure, even when the host does not arrive in person at the scene.
