What neighbors say was an underage blowout at an Airbnb on Pittsburgh’s North Side ended with a police raid, a search warrant, and roughly 50 people bolting into the street on Sunday night. Officers later went back inside with that warrant, found several underage guests still hiding in the home, and neighbors told reporters the place was trashed with empty bottles and red Solo cups. Two adults were arrested and now face charges tied to the gathering.
As reported by WPXI, officers responded Sunday to a tip about a party at a home on Atkins Street and watched about 50 people scatter when police pulled up. After securing a search warrant, police say they found several underage people hiding inside, while others fled the scene. Channel 11’s crew on site documented visible leftovers from the party, like red Solo cups, empty alcohol bottles, and trash scattered around the property.
Arrests and On-Camera Denials
WPXI reported that police charged Demitri Wasson and Amber Jellision with corruption of minors, resisting arrest, and other counts tied to the event. While Channel 11 crews were still there, Wasson briefly came back to the property and repeatedly insisted to reporters that “they did nothing wrong,” according to video captured by the station. Authorities say the investigation is still underway as officers process evidence and sort through witness statements.
Weapons, Drugs, and the Scene
Police told reporters they recovered two firearms that had been reported stolen, along with marijuana, suspected psychedelic mushrooms, and unidentified pills at the rental. Neighbors said the house has been a nuisance for years and that the listing is registered to an out-of-state LLC, which they say makes it tough to track down an actual owner. The trash and cleanup left behind the morning after the raid highlighted residents’ long-running frustration with short-term rentals that end up used as party spots.
Neighbors Push for Stronger Local Rules
Residents say repeated calls to city staff over the past several years brought little relief, and the latest bust has revived calls for clearer enforcement tools. Pittsburgh has been working on tighter rental oversight: the city opened a public comment period in 2024 on a residential rental permit program meant to give officials more authority to address problem properties, as reported by Hoodline. Neighbors say cases like this show the gaps the program is intended to close.
Airbnb Policy and Enforcement Tools
Airbnb’s rules ban disruptive gatherings and “open-invite” events and say the platform may suspend or remove listings that become neighborhood nuisances. The company also provides a Neighborhood Support line for nearby residents to report ongoing disturbances and can block or flag reservations it considers high risk, according to Airbnb’s help pages. In extreme or repeated situations, Airbnb says it can remove a listing or ban accounts tied to so-called party houses.
Legal Note
Under Pennsylvania law, “corruption of minors” is codified at 18 Pa.C.S. § 6301 and makes it a crime for an adult to corrupt or tend to corrupt the morals of someone under 18. The offense can be elevated if the conduct implicates the code’s sexual-offense provisions, according to the state statute. Pennsylvania sentencing rules classify a first-degree misdemeanor as carrying a maximum jail term of up to five years and possible fines, although actual penalties depend on the specific charges and prosecutorial decisions. Readers can review the statute and sentencing rules on the state code and PACode websites for the full text…