Four charged with alcohol sales to 17 year-old

Media Relations Officer Kevin Kelshaw told local St. Johns County news reporters that on Tuesday, April 13th, the Youth Services Unit of the Sheriff’s Office conducted an alcohol compliance detail as a continuing aspect of the “Party’s Over” campaign.

As part of the Sheriff’s Office Investigative Aide Program, an 17-year old girl attempted to purchase alcohol at 13 local establishments in the St. Augustine area. The Aide was served alcohol at 4 of the businesses. The operation is funded by a SARG Grant and falls under the PACT Prevention Coalition.

The aide would produce her actual identification if asked and state her true age if requested. The Sheriff’s Office filed a charge of selling, serving or giving alcohol to a person under the age of 21 against the four people who served alcohol to the Aide. The reports will also be sent to the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco for potential administrative investigations.

The establishments where clerks were charged with selling alcohol to a minor were:
Sangrias Wine & Tapas Bistro, 35 Hypolita St., a 27-year old female served a beer.
M & M Market, 102 Bridge St., a 61-year old male sold a beer.
Sunoco Food Mart, 450 S. Ponce de Leon Blvd., a 29-year old male sold a 4pk of beer.
TGI Friday’s, 318 S.R. 312, a 23-year old female sold a beer.

Clerks at the following businesses refused to sell alcohol to the Investigative Aide:
Kangaroo Express, 224 San Marco Ave., Mardi Gras Sport’s Bar, 123 San Marco Ave., Slugger’s Sports Grill, 116 San Marco Ave., Florida Cracker Café, 81 St. George St., Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grill, 46 Avenida Menendez, St. George’s Tavern, 116B St. George St., Scarlett O’ Haras, 70 Hypolita St., ABC Liquors, 1830 A1A South, and Milltop Tavern, 19 St. George St.