Camp Zoe, Site of Schwagstock, Facing Seizure After Drug Investigation

Sure, what would be the definition of 'rampant drug use'? Not charged but could be losing his $600,000 property. Isn't that interesting...take a look at who the proceeds of sale would go to! A great use of the justice system, 4 years of investigation and what has it led them to?

<a href=http://www.impaireddriving.ca/" target="_blank">Toronto DUI Lawyers</>

Zoe shelter we all this is nothing but woods with their friends, their music in real-time high for the various needs of all parties not to harm anyone.

Criminal Lawyers

I hate to say that I only got to attend Schwagstock once in my life, but it's true. BUT, my life hasn't been the same since ( in a good way). Sure there were drugs, but like many have said before me, what musical festival doesn't? But Schwag wasn't just like any other festival. It was massive with so many people so close together- and getting along perfectly. No drama, violence, harmful crime; just peace, love, happiness, and music. It was the most amazing thing-you could fall asleep on the "street" (which was really more of a trail-path) and not worry about anyone messing with you at all. You go with your own flow-dance to the beat of your own drum. I can't believe how boneheaded the govt has become. Don't they realize this was a good thing? If it wasn't to your benefit, you didn't go. That's just like how ignorant they are of the illegality of marijuana- don't they realize the effects of alcohol on a person are much more sever? don't they realize we NEED the trees that we have left? Hemp can be used for paper, rope, and more. They need to see what is practical rather than what their corrupt brains think is right. But that's besides the point, I apologize. The point is that Schwagstock was a truly beautiful thing that the government took away, and I really hope it's not gone for long. 

Why has our federal government been spending so much time and effort investigating and now shutting down what is essentially a music festival? On the website for the festival it specifically states "no drugs", so how can the federal government say "knowingly opened, rented, leased, used, or maintained for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing or using controlled substances."? If they say this about Schwagstock and Spookstock, then shouldn't they just be shutting down every single concert and music festival? The sole purpose of the festival is MUSIC, if individuals coming to see live music decide to bring drugs to sell of use that hardly constitutes as as a place designed specifically for manufacturing, selling, and using drugs. I have attended Schwagstock and found it to be a very peaceful environment and NOT a criminal one. So once again I ask, why is our federal government spending so much time, effort, and YOU THE TAXPAYER'S MONEY on something that has no other goal than to incarcerate good people? It seems to me that this is the United States government is just out to make money off of ruining lives and, to me, that sounds more criminal than using drugs. I think it defeats the purpose of arresting someone for using drugs if the criminal penalty is more damaging (and more costly to the taxpayer) than the use of the drug itself. One final question: If the government is committing crimes against its own people (hmmmm Iraq under Saddam Hussein?) who will step in and prosecute THEM? Will it take another country to invade us against the UN's orders to straighten this country's disgustingly pathetic justice system? America was found on the right to live by your own morals as long as you don't hurt anyone (Native Americans didn't get hurt by the founders of this country did they...hmmm) and I simply do not see the harm being done, well with the exception of the harm that has been done to people's lives from being arrested for not having the same moral beliefs as those in power. But it doesn't seem to matter how many questions are asked or how much evidence of the federal government's incompetence to serve it's people (oh yeah did they forget that they work for us, we are supposed to be a democracy, by the people for the people) is presented, the people in power will only do three things deny deny deny (which was O.J. Simpson's strategy, wait, isn't he a criminal?). WE NEED REAL CHANGE, AN ENTIRE CLEAN SLATE WHERE LAWS ARE BASED ON FACTS, LOGIC, AND WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT, NOT WHAT IS GOING TO BE THE MOST PROFITABLE FOR THE ALREADY RICH AND POWERFUL.

What's your problem with hippies? I'm proud to be one, love my children, don't steel, and stand up for YOUR rights. You just a better-than-thou- self-righteous, sanctimonious hater? OR did someone who smelled of patchouli steal your left sock?

well all i can say is jimmy hang in there things should work out and i hope to see you and talk to you again this you at your sons birthday party i talk to you last year it and i try talking totalk to every year i go so i hope it works out

That is all bullshit. The property wasn't used for "criminal activity." Its a festival. People are going to have drugs. Drugs are everywhere! Are they going to seize the Walmart parking lot due to people using it to meet up and make drug deals?! They are just out to screw people over and make some money. This is extemely unfortunate... no body at Camp Zoe are dangerous criminals, its all about love, peace and the music! I guess a hippie music festival would be an easy target. Too lazy to realy WORK and put the real criminals away.

It's sad to think that places like Bonnaroo, Burning Man and Summercamp where drug usage is equally and sometimes more prevalent than Schwag are allowed to continue hosting festivals while a beautiful and secluded place like Zoe is shut down by the government. Zoe gives a sense of freedom and tranquility that you can't find anywhere else. I've seen someone OD and die at Underground Sound, I've been puked on at Summercamp, and I watched people fist-fighting under the influence of alcohol at Bonnaroo. These things NEVER happened at Camp Zoe, yet this is the "drug utopia"? It's such a shame.The only condolence I can find is that Schwag has been hosted at other places prior to Zoe. Although it wouldn't be the same seeing the Schwag and going to Echo Bluff to sleep, it's nice to know that Schwag will live on. I just hope a gorgeous piece of the Ozarks isn't put under the iron federal fist and sold to support the corrupt police force who "guard" (light term) the entrance to Schwagstock. It makes me sick that the same people who insult and wrongfully arrest the people stopped before entering the camp will benefit the most from the seizure of such a beautiful piece of American property. It makes me sick. Instances like this makes me wish I wasn't an American citizen...

ok 1 concerned mother take a look around the world is sick and whats wrong is our government they cant run shit let ur daughter make mistakes thats what we r on earth for to learn go waste ur words somewhere else

here is an idea ppl like texin so much send texs on swag web site to donate... dont hate donate lol. thats what im doin. and some fundraising on the side. just an idea.

@-1concerned mother

Listen lady...I don't know what your 17 year old daughter was doing going to schwagstock in the first place. It's people like you that don't have a clue about people like us. In all the years that Schwagstock was going on how many injuries or deaths were there? We drove 500 miles to get there and NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES. MANY OF MY FRIENDS WHO WENT SAID IT WAS THE BEST TRIP OF THEIR LIVES.

I have been going to schwagstock for 5 years now with my friends and we are all over 21. For those of us responsible enough to handle ourselves UNLIKE YOUR DAUGHTER you ruin it for everyone else.

NOBODY cares about you or your daughter. Your messing with something that thousands of people enjoy. I watched your video interview and I will agree that while this type of festival should not be for all ages. That does not give you the right to want to shut it down. I'm not EVEN FROM MISSOURI i would drive 500 miles to visit this place...

So in short, I just wanted to say your wasting your breath.

The fact that your daughter was going to schwagstock in the first place should have raised a RED FLAG THAT SHE OBVIOUSLY PARTAKES IN DRUGS IF SHES LISTENING TO A GREATFUL DEAD COVER BAND.

WAKE UP LADY.

YOU helped RUINED A BEAUTIFUL THING....Maybe instead of worrying so much about what other young adults are doing you should be WATCHING YOUR OWN FREAKING CHILD.

Schwag will continue and so will festivals just like it. I don't know what kind of "frat parties" you've been to or "concerts" but everyone I've been to (i'm only 24) there has been plenty of substances there. IT"S UP TO YOU AS A PERSON TO EITHER TAKE PART RESPONSIBLY OR TO IGNORE IT.

You may have helped them shut down 1 festival but I can ASSURE YOU there are PLENTY OUT THERE LIKE IT. THAT ARE MUCH WORSE.

-Jason

@ JerryWhat has been going on at Schwagstock for 4 years is wrong.. PERIOD. I bet Jimmy never called law enforcement to let them know that people were doing drugs on his property..Did he? I would have if people were doing drugs on my property. DECENT PEOPLE WITH A CONSCIENCE WOULD DO THE SAME THING. I am not naive. I have been to many concerts and frat parties when I was in college. There is no comparison. Schwagstock is in a league of it's own. How did he sleep at night knowing that there were high school kids in there that very well could have died?? All he cares about is MONEY and he made plenty of it during all of the Schwagstocks held there. I will continue to tell my story about what I saw in there.. I will continue my mission...

I live in a college town, in Northeast Georgia. This past summer I celebrated my 50th birthday by attending a Schwagstock. I had one of the best times of my life. I kind of made it a point to meet as many people as possible, since I'd never been to, or really known anyone from Missouri, and was really taken by how friendly almost everybody was. I was attracted to the event by the description from a friend, of three days of camping (in country I'd never seen before, [Breathtaking]), two, 5+ hour concerts, and some of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. I am a musician, and have also been to concerts, so I know what goes on (anyone who acts like they don't is either really, really, really stupid, or full of shit)nobody tried to push anything on me to buy. My next tent neighbor did offer to share some Jim Beam that he had. I had never imagined that many people, especially younger ones, with that little supervision behaving so well towards each other. With very few exceptions, It was a very fine experience. You get what you go for. The issue of law enforcement: road blocks...here in Georgia we call them ambushes. When a big football game is about to be over, you can watch them lining up along the highways to find any reason to pull somebody over, hoping to snag a DUI. DUI is big moneymaker for Georgia law enforcement, so I see the parallel. I don't by any means condone drug use, by people not mature enough to know what they're doing, but I have read every comment posted up to this point, and to the people who keep saying "it's illegal", "it's illegal" none of you said "it's Wrong". Getting shitfaced drunk is wrong, but it's not illegal unless you're in a car. So I'd like to share a quote concerning the legality issue "Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees." (Isaiah 10:1, Holy Bible NIV).Law enforcement in this country has become a sad, hipocritical joke. It's all about the "Ching Ching" If there ain't money, or publicity in it, it don't get enforced. I can't judge the guilt, or innocense of those involved, because I wasn't there, but it's sad that I, as a mature responsible 50 year old man, can't get away for a few days, drink a few beers, take a toke or two, listen to some live music, and meet some of the nicest people I've ever met,(mostly from Missouri)on private property, without worrying about some bullshit laws.

@1concerned mother Are you at all concerned that 2 years before you had to drag your 17 year old daughter out of Camp Zoe, law enforcement knew this kind of activity was taken place and did nothing to try to stop it. That law enforcement was purchasing and selling drugs down there too. For 4 years! Does it concern you that they issued permits when they knew this kind of activity was going on? How long did it take you to figure out what was happening down there? Hour? Does it concern you that they wanted they owner of the property to do law enforcements job? After being in Camp Zoe, for the short time that you were there. Did you see any reason why law enforcement would have had to been worried about stepping into the Lion's Den? You could have been talking to an undercover officer when you went in there trying to find you daughter. If you did, I bet you anything he would not have tried to help find her in fear that his cover would be blown. If this does not concern you than it should. Because if Law Enforcement really cared that much about the drugs. They could have shut it down before your daughter ever heard of the place. One more thing if you go visit your daughter in college, maybe you should go crash on of those parties too. Then you can start a new mission to close down all frat houses.

I have been in Camp Zoe to retrieve my 17 yr old daughter. That place makes me sick!!! I hope the property is seized and that the owner has criminal charges filed against him!!! FYI..IT IS ILLEGAL TO USE, BUY OR SELL ILLEGAL DRUGS IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI!!! Drugs were being used everywhere in there..I personally saw it. I also saw a kid in there having seizures from his drug use while in there. The "staff".. for lack of a better word, told me that he was just "trippin" and that he would be fine. He was laying on a filthy mat in some kind of "first aid station" that looked like a shack. The first thing I did when I got out of there with my daughter and could use my cell phone, was to call Mo. Highway Patrol. That was over 2 years ago. I have been talking to them ever since. It has been my personal mission to shut Schwagstock down. I'm one step closer.

One of my children was molested by a man named Jello Shot Jimmy at this place. There's so much underage drinking, drug use, and sex with minors I'm glad it's closed.I

Today I was reading another article on Camp Zoe and it said about the same as all the others Except for this part of the article. It so backs up my post about how law enforcement needed to HELP JIMMY with the problem and NOT MAKE JIMMY THE PROBLEM!

According to Viets, Tebeau actually asked "local law enforcement" to help patrol Camp Zoe during festivals, but his client's request for help was denied. (The campground was patrolled by private security guards from B&D Security; the owner of the company declined to comment.)

Asked why the highway patrol decided to employ roadblocks instead of patrolling inside of Camp Zoe, Elmore replies, "That's not something we'd typically do. If we believe that a particular location has an inordinate amount of that kind of [drug] activity and thousands of people present in a small concentration, we'll be hesitant to send a couple troopers in there by themselves, simply because of the gross disparity in number of folks. We're not going to send them into the lion's den."

i have been down to camp zoe 3 or 4 times no one have ever came up to me and ask me to buy drugs or offer me to do it with them i have never seen anyone doing them where was these people from the dea getting they're drugs from some one who may have slipped them in a one in a million chance so when the dea buys drugs from some-one what do they do with it i'm sure it didn't take them four years to smoke it snork it swollowed it sounds like the goverment just want to put money in they're pockets and the little guy trying to get a little freedom gets step on i think the people should arrest the government for taking all of our hard earned money spending it on crazy things like this long 9 year war that's taken all of our son's and daughter's lives or when you worked all of your life paying for a house then to have the government come and take it from you when you have to pay for taxes that been paying for all of your life who is the real criminal here .

*societal scapegoat

Amy, you're a moron. Try placing the blame on your hype-ass drug addict brother. Don't blame a place that others have fun at. That's fucking pathetic. You're like a parent that blames videogames for your stupid kid's behavior.

It's no wonder that the government think it can run all over people with their draconian bullshit. Because of people like you that blame a person's woes on a socialist scapegoat.

Shut it down! My brother is an oxy addict and this place gives him a place to supplement his legal prescription. Oxy ruins your family and turns the addict into a psychotic. Camp Zoe needs to go away before any more lives anf families are destroyed.

You flashed a big ol' drug dick in the DEA's face for years, what did you think would happen, flowers & chocolates???The schwagstock DEAlers used to, oh so casually, wistfully sigh that there needed to be "sacrificial lambs" caught by the roadblocks to distract the police from the larger shipments, that it was just a fact of life, it needed to happen for the "greater good".Sounds just like the mafia scum that testify against each other when faced with life in prison- no loyalty, no honor.The Big Fish surrounding the REAL Grateful Dead don't want or need people like the Scwaggers because they draw too much attention from law enforcement with their Very Open illegal behavior. Maybe YOU are the sacrificial lambs this time, DEAlers!Or did you make a deal, and that's why no arrests have been made???If the Feds don't get you then the Big Fish will!!!

Joe Grasso the millionaire ? leaving Camp Zoe to beg for donations, and have benefits? All the money over the years that place has made, you'd think the owner would have some sort of savings. You'd think someone that lived in this million dollar home could afford to help out, and not run and turn his back on the place like this.

http://listings.point2.com/100...

Camp zoe has gotten dirty the past couple years. But it was still a special place to me and so many other people its a shame to see the feds take it. i have a feeling we have seen the last days of camp zoe. I hope jimmy had nothing to do with it and until i find out different my im going to keep supporting camp zoe. And stop talkin shit about camp zoe if you dont know shit.PEACE LOVE AND Camp zoe

My family and I will always bring our childen back to Camp Zoe, and support the music we love! All you haters live in a world I will *never let my children witness.

Didn't a young girl fall to her death off of a cliff at camp zoe a year or so again?

This place is a drug market, shut it down!

Excellent analysis of Camp Zoe situation:

http://forfeiturereform.com/20...

Yeah, drugs are illegal. Does that mean we shouldn't do them? Nope. Alcohol has been proven to not only harm the brain more than most drugs available, but also to kill thousands more every year than all illegal drugs COMBINED. What we put into our bodies is a matter of personal responsibility, not public safety. As long as people don't fight (Yet to see even an argument at Camp Zoe) or do stupid things (the bluff climbers were booed by the entire camp) then what's the harm?

Oh, and that whole "protect the children!" thing is total bullshit. You rarely see children there. There are kids, sure, but the majority of the ages are 18-35. I work at a movie theater and we don't allow young children to see R rated movies, but we do if they are with a parent. It's the same principle as Zoe. Families may bring their children to Schwag, but I haven't seen any kids drunk or on drugs. And if they are, that is not the owner's problem.

You say "Drugs are bad! Protect the children!" All I hear is "Down with Hippies! Peace scares me!"

Criminal proceeds are damaging public safety? Camp Zoe's not a speak-easy. I've attended 3 Schwagstocks and yes, there are drugs there. But there are also security guards and, of course, the roadblock set up by the Missouri Highway Patrol on the first and last days of the festivals. The people at Camp Zoe are genuinely nice, friendly and fun-loving. Everyone you come across can be your friend. The people next to you are neighbors, and you share food and stories. There are no negative attitudes or fights, something I see all to often in the downtown area of my city. And there, people are just drinking. I've yet to see a collection of people so open-minded, so free, so fun-loving as the people at Camp Zoe. The hugest shock of Schwag is leaving and returning to reality where people fight, bicker, ignore, judge, and steal personal items, like your residence =/ This really makes me sick. Have we no rights anymore?

Jerry, I posted your comment on my blog.

http://keepstlouisfree.blogspo...

I went to a festival down there once and thought it was beautiful. My boyfriend and I went on a camping trip there with our dog for a non-festival weekend this fall. It was great! Everywhere you go down there (current river, the huzzah, etc.) is packed with a bunch of drunk frat dudes or uptight families in the family campgrounds. I just loved that there was a cool place to get away that sometimes hosted great conerts. I may have seen drug use when I went to a festival there but it was nothing compared to the drug use at Bonaroo. I will never go to Bonaroo again! Talk about a bunch of kids messed up on drugs! I agree with those who have wondered when they will sieze that land......

To Bill, Will you please also point out the fact that maybe Jimmy was following the rule of, Whatever you do, Do Not take to law into your own hands? I would also like to know if jimmy would have busted and turned in some of the big dealers if he would have been paid with a reward or even offered to go into the witness protection program.

Sure Bill please do and Thanks.

Great last post Jerry. May I post that elsewhere? You have really nailed the issue.

@ Hey Jerry:THANKS! For the tip about Live on the Levee. I will post it on Camp Zoe's facebook. There are alot of Schwagger's there that need a new home. 8) FREE, even better. Thanks again Buddy!

To John: MEAN PEOPLE SUCK!!!!!To Maria: When you go to get a building permit in your county, will they issue it to you if there is something wrong? If Camp Zoe was the largest open drug air market in the Ozarks why did they continue to let it happen for 4 years??????? Collect sales tax from it? Put kids lives in danger? Does your tax dollars pay for Jimmy to train and protect us or law enforcement? From what this blogs says, these were big time drug dealers and the cops knowingly and willing let this happen for 4 years. Why did they want Jimmy to do their job? The lady who went to pull her daughter out of Camp Zoe was there what 1 hour and knew that there was drugs. How long did it take you to know drugs were being sold down there? Before you got you tent up? Have you been watching the news? Drug cartels will cut your head off if you try to stop them. Do you think Jimmy wanted to put his family at risk? Or his patrons? 4 YEARS why so long? The first drug purchase that an undercover agent made at Camp Zoe they should have made an arrest! The next permit Zoe wanted issued they should have said NO! We are sorry but we cannot issue you this permit. We have had undercover law enforcement in the crowd and something needs to be done to get a handle on the drug use! If someone smokes pot or serves a minor in a bar, they ticket the owners, if they think they were not trying to control it and give them a warning. 3 warnings and they take away their license. They do not seize the property. The State sends undercover, underage kids all the time into establishments even for cigarettes. They arrest the employee that served it on the spot and gives the place a fine. Why do people not understand and get it threw their thick head. Jimmy is NOT a Drug Enforcement Agent! Your tax dollars pays for the DEA to fight the war on drugs NOT Jimmy! If they need to shut the place down and no more Schwagstocks fine. But do not let them take his land. Let him sell it and get his money out of it. That is why you take a risk and make investments. His bank accounts have been frozen he cannot pay his staff, bills, property taxes and he has been charged with no crime. It is bullshit and everybody should fight like hell so that this does not keep happening to people. If the feds really need the money to fight the war on drugs so badly. They would Drug test everybody who is on or applying for government assistance. 25 year ago when I was in high school, we use to go to the doobie drive up (bus stop at the section 8 housing complex) anytime of the day and get weed, mdma, coke anything we wanted and from what I hear you still can today. I guess the feds are not able to take their own land so it will never stop. I also think that if they drug test all the people living in government housing. 1/2 the war on drugs would be won. Because then maybe work & food will be more important than drugs. The government could make so much money off that. Can you imagine? Not having to feed and house the people who are abusing the system. But giving it to the people that really need it. Wow! then I would think the war on drugs is worth it.

Lease or Sign the property over to Clear Channel or some larger entity, for some period of time...and the Local Gov. may think twice about trying to take it.

more of a buzzkill than buzzkillington

I have also been told that seizing a bank account without criminal charges is very unusual. This situation doesn't add up yet.

Good. It's about time for this to happen. I attended one night at Swagstock over a year ago. I had intended to stay all weekend but the amount of drug use going on was sickening. My camp was ruined by a drug user trying to drive. I resuced a guy who fell in a fire. I saw drug deals everywhere. All these poor kids looked lost in their drug use. I'm surprised there hasn't been deaths. Shut this garbage down.

There is great free music where you dont have to be surounded by drugs. It's called Live on the Levee and Bruce Hornsby who actually played with the Grateful Dead from 1990-1992 played there. Also STS9, Umphrey's, BB King, Rusted Root, Black Crowes, War and countless other great bands have played for free. So quit nickel and diming everything you do just like Jimmy. Also every year the Schwag plays at Mardi Gras that could explain the stupidity of the crowd there.

I have been to Schwagstock personally and it was a lot of fun! The people down at Schwag were so down to earth and genuinely welcoming. People say oh it was all about drugs and getting jacked-up, but it was more about meeting new people, having a good time with no drama, and listening to amazing music! And yes doing what was allegedly done is illegal. But people were doing it there and no leaving. It's not like going to a bar, getting drunk, driving home, and getting pulled over OR KILLING someone(And if you do make it home sloshed beyond recognition you are lucky.). ANYWAYS I for one have been three times and I am glad I did when I had the chance. Sorry to see Schwag may have to go!!

Schwagstock Hippie

To Jerry!!

Jerry, please quit writing blogs if you can not spell, punctuate, or write complete sentences.

The point is to protest this as loudly as possible.

Asking for handouts like the bum he is, way to go Tebeau! Everyone be sure to give him money. Could be another one of his scams.

I hope Bill Hannigan is not your real name. I'm sure the DEA would be very curious to know who's been talking to you. If of course you're telling the truth which is a big if.