Newsday.com: Student Charged With Clogging Toilet

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Student Charged With Clogging Toilet

August 26, 2004, 7:37 AM EDT

PORT OF SWEET GRASS, Mont. --  Jesse Huffman insists he didn't do it on  
purpose, but the toilet he left plugged after "nature called" at this  
border crossing in north-central Montana has him facing criminal  
charges.

Toole County authorities charged the 19-year-old college student from  
Great Falls with criminal mischief after a border agent accused him of  
intentionally clogging the toilet.

Huffman said the clogged piping was completely unintentional, the  
result of an urgent, but natural bodily function.

"I've never been arrested before or anything like that, and I get  
arrested for taking a dump," said Huffman, a student at Montana State  
University in Bozeman.

Huffman was returning to Montana from a trip to Lethbridge, Alberta  
with four friends Saturday. Port authorities stopped their car for what  
was apparently a random search. The car's 19-year-old driver was cited  
for illegally possessing alcohol.

Huffman said he asked to use the bathroom while waiting for the driver.

A short time later, a port inspector discovered the toilet was clogged  
and threatened charges, Huffman said.

Cory Grayson, one of Huffman's friends, said he couldn't believe it  
when border agents first threatened charges.

"I didn't think they were serious at first, I was just laughing so  
hard," he said.

Port Director Larry Overcast said he could not comment on the case.

Huffman said he has hired an attorney and intends to fight the charge.

* __

Information from: Great Falls Tribune, http://www.greatfallstribune.com

Copyright © 2004, The Associated Press

<http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-nature-calls- 
charge,0,7455589,print.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines>

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