Woman locked up for hosting raucous party

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

A West Side woman was jailed briefly after police broke up a large party at her home just before midnight Saturday and she refused to give them information.

According to police reports, Sparkle Johnson, 37, of South Whitney Avenue told officers she had no idea why they would be concerned about her party. Police reports said there were “several hundred juveniles” there, but reports said Johnson told police when she was arrested there were only 150 to 200 people — not 300.

Police got a call about 11:55 p.m. regarding the party and when they arrived, some juveniles began jumping out of windows in the upper story of the home and running away. Officers working special details, Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Mill Creek MetroParks Police were called in to help assist, reports said.

Reports said Johnson told everyone to leave and as that was going on, her husband appeared and was belligerent with police, reports said.

When Johnson was being told she was being arrested, she struggled and had to be wrestled to the ground to be handcuffed, reports said.

Her husband then swore at police, and when he was warned he would be arrested, he ran away, reports said. Officers searched for him but could not find him.

Johnson also refused to give police her husband’s name.

She was later released on summons from the jail, according to jail records.

She was arraigned Monday on a loud-music charge in Youngstown Municipal Court and pleaded not guilty. She is free on her own recognizance until her next court date.