Restaurant owner and judge’s son among dozens charged at Phish concert

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — One of the owners of Wilmington’s Chop’s Deli restaurants was among more than 60 cited or arrested at a concert on violations including drug charges.

The arrests happened at the Phish concert Friday night at the Walnut Creek Amphitheater in Wake County. Reports say recent complaints of illegal drug and underage drinking activity led ALE officers to chose this concert to reel in offenders. At the Florida Georgia Line concert the day before, agents made about 30 arrests.

Matthew Ryan Beckelhimer (Source: Wake Co. Detention Center)

According to jail records, Bradley Hamilton Corpening, 31, is facing charges including possession of Psilocybin (mushrooms), possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana in a detention center. In addition to being a popular restaurant owner, Corpening is also the son of Chief District Court Judge Jay Corpening.

Corpening was one of two Wilmington men charged. The other man, Matthew Ryan Beckelhimer, 33, was also charged with possession of Psilocybin, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Agents said 115 total charges were filed, including 25 felonies.