Air Force attorney fears jail over viral ‘twerkfest’; wild pool party could cost him career

What was supposed to be a modest backyard pool party has turned into a legal and professional nightmare for a Michigan attorney who now says the fallout could cost him both his law license and his military career.

Alex Simpson, a 42-year-old Air Force attorney and hearing officer, appeared in court this week after pleading not guilty to misdemeanor charges connected to a June 13 party at his $1.5 million home in Birmingham, an upscale Detroit suburb.

Authorities charged Simpson with disorderly conduct, breach of the peace and public nuisance after what was expected to be a gathering of about 40 people reportedly ballooned to more than 150 guests, creating traffic gridlock, noise complaints and viral social media videos showing partygoers dancing on vehicles.

Homeowner charged for wild Birmingham pool party according to @fox2detroit @langeamy pic.twitter.com/trH83zuros

— CrimeInTheD ® (@CrimeInTheD) July 23, 2026

Standing before the judge, Simpson argued the criminal case is far out of proportion to what began as a friend’s charity event.

“We’re here today being arraigned on criminal charges, you know, for what was a pool party.”

He added:

“I’m an attorney. I’m in the military. Criminal charges can impact both my legal career and my military career, and this doesn’t seem like it’s warranted… for what took place.”

According to Simpson, he allowed friend Rodney Harrington to use the property after being told roughly 40 guests would attend and that donations would be collected for charity.

The co-host of a controversial Birmingham pool party and the homeowner who rented out his property were arraigned on misdemeanor charges Wednesday. https://t.co/w6BWKAA2vk

— WXYZ Detroit (@wxyzdetroit) July 22, 2026

Instead, the crowd multiplied throughout the afternoon. Neighbors described packed streets, blocked driveways, loud music and partygoers dancing on vehicles. One resident told local television stations the scene looked like a “twerkfest.”

Brian Homer, who lives nearby, said:

“There was females twerking on top of vehicles wearing thongs. It was completely inappropriate.”

Another resident, James McCarthy, said neighbors felt trapped inside their own homes.

“You can’t be a hostage in our own house… they say things like, ‘We’re gonna take over your neighborhood.'”

Simpson has acknowledged the gathering spiraled beyond expectations.

“I’m not going to sugarcoat… things should have been under more control.”

But he insists much of the public narrative has exaggerated what actually occurred.

In a statement released after his arraignment, Simpson apologized to neighbors while criticizing the city’s response.

“As I have stated before, I acknowledge that the departure of guests at the end of the pool party created traffic congestion and disruption in the neighborhood that I am genuinely sorry for.”

He said he personally visited neighbors to apologize and pledged the incident would not happen again.

At the same time, Simpson accused city officials of overreacting.

“I believe the response to the event from the City has been disproportionate.”

He also alleged that his family was doxxed online and said officials later questioned permits for prior work on his home and asked him to resign from his position as an alternate hearing officer. Simpson said he is weighing legal action against the city.

The controversy has extended beyond one homeowner.

Following the incident, Birmingham officials acknowledged police should have shut the gathering down sooner and have begun reviewing policies involving private residential pool rentals and other short-term events after residents complained of inconsistent enforcement.

If convicted, Simpson faces up to 90 days in jail, a $500 fine, or both. Harrington has separately been charged with violating the city’s noise ordinance and permitting a disorderly gathering.

MY TAKE:

Now before anyone starts firing off emails, let’s separate two things.

If your guests block streets, dance on cars, ignore the neighbors and turn a quiet subdivision into South Beach after midnight, don’t expect applause. Homeowners have responsibilities.

But criminal charges?

For what everyone—including the homeowner—admits was essentially a party that got way out of hand?

That deserves a second look.

You’ve got traffic jams, viral videos, neighbors peeking through the blinds and local TV helicopters wondering if Spring Break accidentally took a wrong turn into suburban Michigan.

The neighbors absolutely have legitimate complaints.

Nobody buys a house in a quiet neighborhood expecting women dancing on car roofs while three-wheelers buzz down the sidewalk.

That’s ridiculous.

But I also understand why Simpson is worried. A criminal conviction isn’t just a slap on the wrist when you’re an attorney serving in the Air Force. It can follow you long after the music stops.