Metropolitan Nashville Police Department officers assigned to the Entertainment District Unit arrested 10 people for selling balloons containing nitrous oxide in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, United States. Also known as laughing gas, the chemical compound is used in surgery and dentistry for its anesthetic and pain-reducing effects and abused at parties and music festivals.
Possession of nitrous oxide is legal under the U.S. federal law. However, it is illegal to sell and distribute it for human consumption.
The arrests took place on October 6, 2023 and on October 7, 2023 in areas close to Bridgestone Arena in Nashville where Phish was performing. The rock band was formed in Burlington, Vermont, USA in 1983.
A total of 10 people were arrested. One of them is from Tennessee, one is from Kentucky, USA, one is from New Jersey, USA, one is from New York, USA, one is from Georgia, USA, two are from South Carolina, USA and three are from Pennsylvania, USA.
The 10 arrestees were each charged with sale or delivery of inhaling fumes, which is a felony offense. Here is the list:
- Justin Wiseman, 35, Ashland City, Tennessee
- Marcellous Gibson, 57, Locust Grove, Georgia
- Marquael Clingner, 23, Pottstown, Pennsylvania
- Matthew Landan, 51, Louisville, Kentucky
- Mervin Brown, 56, Columbia, South Carolina
- Raasheem Queen, 22, Queens, New York
- Rhonda Cain, 35, Columbia, South Carolina
- Ronald Knott, 21, Runnemede, New Jersey
- Roy Hastings, 31, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- William K. Wright, 25, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
CONAN Daily 