Sting operation nets charges for local businesses that sold alcohol and vape products to minors

Citing citizen complaints about sales of alcohol and vape products to minors, Warren County Sheriff Mark Butler’s Office implemented compliance checks on two separate days last month. A press release from Butler states that deputies from the School Resource Division coordinated the plainclothes operations with the aid of a reliable and trusted young adult.

On March 21st and March 23rd, 2022, WCSO Deputies A. Ulibarri, C. Wigington, H. Molina, O. Fuentes, and W. Atwood, led by Sergeant C. Burke conducted compliance checks at 12 local businesses. Of those 12, the release states, only three passed, properly checking the customer’s state identification and disallowing the sale. The release states that “those businesses were thanked for their diligence and proper adherence to the sales of products not approved for our youth.”

The following businesses failed the compliance check on March 21st and sold either alcoholic beverages or THC Vape products to the underage customer; the clerk was issued a summons.

• Linden Seven Eleven (sale of alcoholic beverage to a minor)
• Tobacco Hut Front Royal #2 (sale of Vape product to minor)
• Circle K 6th Street (sale of alcoholic beverage to a minor)
• Liberty Gas 5th Street (sale of alcoholic beverage to a minor)

The following businesses failed the compliance check on March 23rd and sold either alcoholic beverages or THC Vape products to the underage customer; the clerk was issued a summons.

• Tobacco Hut Front Royal #1 (sale of THC Vape to a minor)
• Roy’s Express (sale of alcoholic beverage to a minor)
• BP Gas Station, South Street (sale of alcoholic beverage to a minor)
• Rivermont Grocery Store (sale of alcoholic beverage to a minor)
• 619 Market (sale of alcoholic beverage to a minor)

Sheriff Butler stated in the release, “It is the goal of the Sheriff’s Office to conduct a balanced approach to keeping our children and young people safe through education and enforcement; however, there will be a zero-tolerance approach taken in the event of sales to underage persons.”

According to the release, undercover checks at businesses will continue over the next several months.

The ramifications of allowing such a sale are considerable. Allowing an underage sale is a Class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia, carrying up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.