One Ellicott City Resident, 23 Others Arrested at Phish Concert

According to Howard County Police, when the band Phish is in town, drug activity increases.

This year history proved a good guide; police made 21 drug-related arrests this weekend at two Phish concerts at the Merriweather Post Pavilion on Saturday, June 11 and Sunday, June 12, according to a statement released by the department. More than 3,500 people attended the two shows.

Drugs confiscated included marijuana, hashish, ecstasy, nitrous oxide and methamphetamine. Police also issued 22 citations for underage drinking and seized two vehicles containing drugs and more than $2,000 in cash.

According to police, Phish, a band in the tradition of the Grateful Dead that specializes in long improvisational songs, historically bring with them increased drug activity.

Security was provided by police officials from special operations, vice and narcotics and traffic enforcement. Police worked with the Merriweather Post Pavilion to focus efforts on drug distribution. 

In addition to the drug-related arrests, three people, including an Ellicott City resident, were arrested for trespassing and disorderly conduct. 

The following were arrested on drug-related charges:

• Samuel Walker Burnstein, 22, of North Easton, Mass. (drug distribution)

• Garrett Barkley Clark, 24, of Washington, D.C. (drug possession, drug paraphernalia possession) 

• Alex Michael Costanza, 23, of Virginia Beach, Va. (operating a vehicle containing drugs, drug distribution, drug possession) 

• Kyle W. Davis, 25, of Medford, N.J. (drug possession) 

• Joseph Jeffrey Davis-Diehl, 28, of Washington, D.C. (operating a vehicle containing drugs, drug distribution)

• Kevin Patrick Flanagan, 28, of Baltimore (drug distribution, drug possession)

• Christopher S. Fowler, 26, of Virginia Beach, Va. (drug possession with intent to distribute)

• Samantha Michelle Haislip, 21, of Virginia Beach, Va. (drug possession with intent to distribute, drug paraphernalia possession)

• Benjamin Craig Hardy, 30, of Sebastopol, Calif. (drug distribution)

• Jonathan R. Hartman, 27, of  Virginia Beach, Va. (drug possession with intent to distribute, drug possession)

• Parry D. Holt, 28, of Cincinnati, Ohio (drug distribution, drug possession with intent to distribute, second degree assault, resisting arrest, other charges)

• Martine Shea Jehan, 24, of Altmar, N.Y. (drug distribution)

• Anthony Elmer Jones, 29, of Wilmington, Del. (drug distribution, drug possession) 

• Christian David Kocher, 31, of Arlington, Va. (drug distribution)

• Matthias Joseph Kubrick, 19, of Altmar, N.Y. (drug distribution)

• Matthew Frank Nunnelly, 23, of San Antonio, Texas (drug distribution, drug possession)

• Daniel Robert Shenk, 28, of Columbia (drug distribution)

• Michael James Wall, 21, of Philadelphia, Pa. (drug possession with intent to distribute, drug possession, drug paraphernalia possession)