Two businesses face action against their alcohol licenses after their employees were caught selling beer to an underage operative.
The clerks who sold the alcohol will also be cited into court where they will likely face fines and perhaps even jail time. Their names were not available at press time. They were employees of the two businesses where beer was sold – Fiesta Ranchero at Plaza Shopping Center and Pump n’ Pay East on Sparta Highway.
The businesses were caught by a joint sheriff’s department, city police and district attorney general’s undercover sting that targeted 53 businesses. Each of the businesses were approached by the 18-year-old female operative, who asked to purchase beer. The operative did not offer any type of fake ID in order to trick the clerks. State law requires ID to be checked on all alcohol sales, no matter how old the buyer appears. Purchase or possession of alcohol by anyone under the age of 21 is illegal in Tennessee.
District Attorney General Lisa Zavogiannis says the bright side about the operation is that nearly all the businesses checked did the right thing and refused to sell beer to the teen.
“We are pleased to announce that of the 53 businesses, only two illegally sold beer to the agent,” Zavogiannis said. “I am very proud of our business owners in that they are doing an excellent job training their employees to ID those making purchases of alcohol in our county, refusing to sell to underage individuals, or those who cannot produce a valid ID.”
The clerks caught selling beer were being served with their citations at press time. They will appear in General Sessions Court where they will face the likely prospect of a fine that could reach up to $750. In rare cases following past beer-buying operations, clerks have been made to serve 24 hours in jail for the misdemeanor.
After the criminal cases are complete against the clerks, Fiesta Ranchero and Pit Stop East will be hauled before the city’s five-member Beer Board. According to Beer Board member Lester Cowell, policy dictates the punishment for the businesses will be a choice between a $250 fine or 30-day suspension of beer license. Businesses always choose to pay the fine.
A second offense holds a $500 fine or 60-day suspension, while a third offense holds at $750 fine or 90-day suspension. A third offense could also lead to the board permanently revoking the beer license.
“Keeping alcohol out of the hands of the underage takes the cooperation of all of us, especially those who sell alcohol,” Zavogiannis said. “I, along with Chief Bryan Denton and Sheriff Jackie Matheny, want to commend our business owners and their employees for being so diligent in their efforts to obey the law.”