FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) – A word of advice to juggalos, juggalettes or juggalas – have fun in Indiana, just don’t get caught with your drugs.
That’s what Indiana State Police say was the most common reason for tickets or arrests at the “Gathering of the Juggalos” in Lawrence County over the weekend. The outdoor party features concerts, wresting, a “juggalo night court” and opportunities for attendees to reserve a “big balla” campsite or pay for the “psychopathic all star experience.”
For the uninitiated, juggalos and their ilk comprise a wide subculture with roots in a band’s fandom. Characterized by clown-like face paint, the juggalos are mostly ravenous fans of the group Insane Clown Posse, or ICP. They’re ranks are extensive and not unlike parrot heads who flock to Jimmy Buffet shows and have also developed their own subculture.
But we digress.
During the 2019 gathering in Southern Indiana, Troopers say the event was mostly peaceful, but they did write tickets and make arrests.
The breakdown
Traffic Tickets Issued – 81
Traffic Warnings Issued – 295
OWI Arrests – 3
Criminal Arrests – 79
Felony Arrests – 19
Troopers say the majority of all arrests were for drug offenses. Police seized marijuana, THC vape pens, cocaine, prescription pills, heroin, meth and even laughing gas of all things.
Juggalos in the news
In 2011, the US Department of Justice considered the juggalos to be a gang, in the same category as MS-13 and other dangerous groups. The label resulted in a lawsuit, with the ACLU joining forces with all juggalo and juggala against the DOJ. This is a video of the groups announcing the lawsuit.