BLOOMINGTON - Five of six teens arrested for underage drinking outside the residence of a McLean County associate judge could avoid a criminal record if they complete an underage drinking education program.

The teens, who range in age from 17 to 19, were charged after sheriff's deputies responded to a call Saturday concerning a possible underage drinking party outside the Carlock home of Associate Judge Robert Freitag.

The judge offered a comment to The Pantagraph Thursday on what he considers a private family matter, confirming that his son was charged with illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor while home on spring break.

"This is a very distressing circumstance for our family. I can assure you that we, as parents, didn't condone this in any way. He will be facing consequences at home and will face any legal consequences for his conduct," the judge said.

First Assistant State's Attorney Kim Campbell said that five of the six teens qualify for a first-offender program that includes education about the consequences of drinking.

Freitag's 19-year-old son is eligible for the program, said Campbell. An 18-year-old who did not qualify for the program will face a misdemeanor underage drinking charge.

McLean County Sheriff Mike Emery said the teens declined to identify the source of the alcohol they were consuming at the party. The judge was in the house sleeping when police arrived shortly before midnight but answered police questions about the incident, said Emery.

The sheriff predicted that police will receive more calls to possible gatherings of underage drinkers as summer approaches. Rural towns and country locations are popular with teens who want to drink, said Emery.

"We put extra staff on duty to address the enforcement of alcohol offenses," said Emery.

Last year, about 30 illegal consumption arrests were made by county officers, according to the sheriff.

"This is a high alert time of year," said Emery, as high school proms and other events attract some teens to alcohol-related gatherings.