Jeffrey Blood provided hard liquor to 15-year-old son and almost 100 partiers at his Wilhoit home

Sedona AZ (April 2, 2013) – On March 30, 2013, just before midnight, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office dispatchers received information from a caller about a large party in the 9400 of South Stevens Trail, Wilhoit, Arizona. The caller estimated at least 100 in attendance including many underage children drinking alcohol and involved in drug use.

In recent months, YCSO Deputies were aware of the residence after similar previous incidents involving the homeowner, 43-year-old Jeffrey Blood. As deputies began to drive to the location, they were informed party-goers were leaving the home in numerous vehicles.

After arriving at the Blood home, deputies waited at a gate for several minutes until Blood came out to meet them. Blood acknowledged his son had friends over earlier, but everyone was gone, including his son. Blood allowed deputies to check the house. During a room by room search, deputies found a young man sleeping in a bedroom. Blood realized it was his 15-year-old son whom he thought left with friends prior to the arrival of the deputies.

Blood attempted to wake his son, but there was no response. After several minutes, his son finally awoke and began to communicate. Deputies were concerned about the 15-year-old’s intoxication level and had EMS personnel dispatched to check his condition. Obviously intoxicated, it was determined the teen did not require hospitalization.

Blood admitted providing hard liquor to his son.

YCSO Deputies positioned on nearby roads to the home came into contact with several under-aged individuals who confirmed consuming alcohol provided at Blood’s home. As a result, Blood was arrested and booked at the Camp Verde Detention Center on charges including Endangerment, Neglect or Abuse of Minor, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor (4 counts), and Furnish Alcohol to Minors (4 counts).

In related DUI arrests, at 12:45 AM on March 31, deputies stopped a red Mazda sedan near SR Highway 89 and Haisley Road. The vehicle was weaving and almost struck a guardrail before stopping. The driver, 20-year-old Tyler Sariano of Prescott, Arizona, was arrested for DUI and his 18-year-old passenger was arrested for an Underage Drinking violation. Both acknowledged obtaining and consuming alcohol during a party at the Blood’s home in Wilhoit.

Sariano later registered a .128/.126 breathalyzer test level. Both Sariano and his underage passenger were eventually released by citation.

In a second related DUI arrest, just after 1:00 a.m. on March 31, deputies stopped a 2007 red Chevrolet observed driving on a dirt shoulder east on Stevens Trail. Prior to the traffic stop, the vehicle entered the roadway and crossed over the center line twice. Following a field sobriety test, the driver, 19-year-old Jonah Barnes from Kirkland, was arrested for DUI. His 18-year-old female passenger was arrested for an Underage Drinking violation.

As with the previous DUI, both passengers in the Chevrolet admitted attending and obtaining alcohol from a party at the Blood’s home in Wilhoit. They were eventually released by citation.

YCSO appreciates the willingness of those persons concerned enough to call and report this party. The ability of deputies to intervene by stopping those drinking and driving while drunk has a direct impact on keeping roads safe for innocent motorists. As we have seen in the past, tragic and deadly accidents have occurred involving area DUI drivers.

We hope this effort sends a message that YCSO deputies take underage drinking and driving seriously and that adult enablers found contributing alcohol and drugs to minors will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

Citizens can contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with information or questions at 928-771-3260.

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