GULF SHORES, Ala. (WALA) -Among the nearly 100 arrests at last weekend’s Hangout Musical Festival, two stood out – two people charged with operating a business without a license.
Gulf Shores police brought the misdemeanor charges against Susan and John Long, who live in Foley.
Detective Carl Wittstruck told FOX10 News that police became aware that Susan Long had acquired employee wristbands giving access to all aspects of the music festival and put them up for sale on Facebook Marketplace. He said police ordinarily would not be concerned with people selling tickets they had purchased. But he added investigators consider it a different matter when it comes to employee passes.
“She didn’t have any rights to four or five additional tickets, or wristbands,” he said.
An undercover police officer messaged Long and then arrested her when she showed up to sell them, according to police.
The couple’s attorney, Jonathan McCardle, said he asked Gulf Shores to see the evidence and does not know much about the case.
“Merely the allegation is that she was selling a Hangout wristband,” he said. “And apparently, there was a sting operation. And she was arrested for it.”
McCardle said he never has seen a criminal charge in circumstances like this and added it seems like a waste of resources.
“It’s a first instance for me in my practice, certainly,” he said. “Like I’ve said once, I’ll say it again – it seems like they got bigger fish to fry.”
A hearing is set for next month.
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