Investigations of alleged spiked drinks at Inner Circle Vodka Bar suspended by SPD
The Springfield Police Department has suspended four investigations involving alleged spiked drinks at Inner Circle Vodka Bar.
Between the start of the year and March 7, the police department received four reports involving alleged spiked drinks at the downtown bar. As of July 18, all four investigations have been suspended because of lack of evidence, the department's inability to re-connect with a reportee, or a reportee's disinterest in prosecution of the bar.
"While this outcome is certainly reassuring, we understand that the issue of drink spiking remains a legitimate concern for our patrons, our establishment and downtown Springfield," Inner Circle management said in a statement sent to the News-Leader via email. "We acknowledge the concern this raises and want to reassure you that we take this matter seriously and are continuously implementing measures to help ensure a safe and inclusive environment."
Earlier this year, the News-Leader spoke with five women who said they consumed spiked drinks at Inner Circle between 2021 and March of this year. The News-Leader re-contacted these women to pursue follow-up interviews. Of the three women who responded, two were interested in following up.
Conversations about spiked drinks at Inner Circle began to circulate in the private Facebook Group, "Missouri State Gals Advice/Recommendations" in March, when a 21-year-old Missouri State University student shared her experience. She wished to remain anonymous for the protection of her privacy.
The investigation of the student's report was suspended because the police determined there was a "lack of proof" her drinks were drugged at the bar, according to a police incident report. This determination was made after an officer reviewed security camera footage provided by the bar of the night the student reported the drugging.
The student reported that she was drugged at Inner Circle on the evening of Friday, March 3. She told the News-Leader previously that she was "basically sober" when she arrived to the bar, after having only a "sip" of a mixed drink before. At the bar, the student consumed two Pink Whitney shots, one small vodka lemonade and one Tito's shot, which was confirmed by the Inner Circle security camera footage in a police incident report.
After drinking the shot of Tito's, the student reported feeling "disoriented," losing track of the two friends she had arrived at the bar with, according to a police incident report. Later that night, the student was driven home by two friends who picked her up from the bar. She described to the police that she felt "paralyzed," aware of what was going on around her but unable to control her body.
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Per security camera footage provided by the bar, the student was also seen sharing a "joint/cigarette" with a friend on the bar's patio, according to a police incident report. When asked by the News-Leader, the student said she did not consume any marijuana throughout the night.
The security camera footage, according to a police incident report, also showed the student sharing a drink with a man and taking a sip of another man's drink at the bar. The student told the News-Leader that one of the men was a guy she was "dating" at the time and the other was her cousin. She said she was not concerned that either of these men would drug her drink.
Since last speaking with the News-Leader, the student said she is doing well, but she doesn't go to bars or drink as much as she used to.
"If I do go out, I only really drink before," she said. "I do watch my drink like a hawk now and I do make sure that I watch the bartenders making my drinks at all times."
Although the investigation related to her report has been suspended, the student told the News-Leader she is glad she made the report and shared her story with others.
"I just hope that this really kind of opened everybody's eyes and especially the bars in town," she said.
After reading the 21-year-old student's post in the "Missouri State Gals Advice/Recommendations" Facebook Group, Nicole Harris, 24, came forward to share her story on social media and with the News-Leader.
Harris told the News-Leader earlier this year that she visited Inner Circle on Jan. 27 with a group of friends and her sister. Before going to the bar, Harris drank one glass of white wine and at the bar she drank two vodka cranberry mixed drinks and four green tea shots over the course of about two hours. She said the type and amount of alcohol she drank was typical for her.
The last thing she remembers, Harris said, was walking to the bar's dance floor with her second mixed drink in hand. The next thing she remembered is waking up in her bedroom. Her sister had told her that she had been "violently vomiting" in her bathroom after returning home from the bar. Harris said two days afterward, she felt nauseated with a headache and was unable to eat. Harris said she was too scared to file a police report at the time.
For the first two months after the incident, Harris said she was unable to drink alcohol because she was too scared. Harris added that she has been back to the bar since updated, heightened security measures have been implemented.
Heightened security
"As soon as concerns were raised, our Inner Circle management team addressed the matter quickly and with transparency," the bar's statement said.
Added security measures included the introduction of drinks lids to "prevent any unauthorized access to drinks." Harris said when the bar implemented the safety drink lids, she felt safe to return to the bar.
According to Inner Circle's statement, the bar also increased its surveillance system with "increased camera coverage and extended storage capacity for footage." Previously, the bar's security camera footage was only saved for two weeks.
The bar also added a "new screening machine" at its entrance, which "helps identify everyone entering Inner Circle." If an incident were to arise at the bar, all patrons who were in attendance could be identified.
Suspended for lack of evidence, contact
As for the other three suspended investigations, the News-Leader contacted two of the reportees — individuals who had connected with the News-Leader previously, but was unable to make contact by press deadline.
Two of the investigations were suspended due to the police department's inability to get in contact with the reportees.
The other investigation was suspended because the police department determined there was a "lack of proof" the reportee was drugged at the bar based on security camera footage and the results of a blood test, according to a police incident report.
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The woman reported she was drugged at Inner Circle on March 4. The woman told the police that before arriving to the bar she consumed marijuana. After two drinks at the bar, the woman became pale, sweaty and was unable to control her body without assistance. The woman was transported to Cox South, where she had a blood test completed. The woman informed the police that her blood test came back negative for GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate), a depressant known as a "designer drug," because it is traditionally made for getting high.
Per security camera footage provided by the bar, the woman was seen chugging a water bottle full of liquid before entering the bar. Once in the bar, she takes a cup of beer from a man on the patio, drinks a shot at the inside bar and sips on a drink a friend shares with her. The woman also shares a "joint/cigarettes" with a friend outside.
"I concluded that the footage did now show anything conclusive that would lead me to believe any of (the woman's) drinks were drugged," an officer stated in a police incident report. "It should be noted that the bar was very busy and at many times during the video footage, it was difficult to track (the woman) throughout the bar."
Effects of marijuana, alcohol dual consumption
Of the four investigations involving alleged spiked drinks at Inner Circle, one woman confirmed she consumed marijuana beforehand.
Although research on the mixing of marijuana and alcohol is still developing, the American Addiction Centers does provide a list of common symptoms one may experience after dual consumption. One of the most common symptoms is the enhancement of the consumed THC.
Mixing alcohol with any drug results in that drug remaining in a person's system longer than usual, the American Addiction Centers states. This is because alcohol is metabolized first by the liver and the liver prioritizes metabolizing alcohol before any other substances.
If in the system longer, marijuana, an antiemetic, can make it more difficult for an individual to vomit. While marijuana is used to hinder vomiting in chemotherapy patients, it can be serious when combined with alcohol, developing into alcohol poisoning or even an alcohol overdose, according to the American Addiction Centers.
Decreased judgement, increased dehydration and complicated physical dependence are other common symptoms of dual consumption.
What are common symptoms of date rape drugs?
Greene County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Patterson said folks going to bars and clubs should be aware of common symptoms of date rape drugs and fentanyl, which can have harmful side effects. Common symptoms include:
Feeling dizzy, faint or sleepy
Experiencing nausea
Speech difficulties, like slurred words
Feeling more intoxicated than expected based on alcohol consumption
Passing out or experiencing blackouts
What should you do if you suspect someone has consumed a spiked drink?
If you suspect that someone has consumed a spiked drink, ensuring they are in a safe space and enlisting trusted help are the two most important first steps, Patterson said.
If the person is still at the place where their drink was spiked, get the person away from the situation and people there so the person is no longer at risk of consuming more drugs. Ideally, get them in a space where they feel most comfortable, like at home. This could prevent further crimes or sexual assault.
If the person reports symptoms later in the day or the following day, make sure the person is not in harm's way. For example, do not allow someone who believes they are still impacted by date rape drugs to drive a car.
Once the person is in a safe, comfortable space, seek support from trusted family members, friends or establishment management for further protection. Then, get the person to an emergency room or doctor. Medical professionals can help manage potential harm, conduct drug testing, determine if assault occurred and help the person file a report with the police, Patterson said.
If you suspect that your drink has been spiked while in a public place and you are alone, call 911 for help. The Victim Center also has advocates available 24-7 to assist those in need. The Victim Center can be reached at 417-863-7273.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Inner Circle investigations of alleged spiked drinks suspended
