Twitter @ValerieRowell
Two Columbia County convenience store clerks were cited for selling alcohol to a minor Thursday.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office sent an underage deputy into 10 businesses licensed to sell alcohol during regular compliance checks Thursday to ensure stores aren’t selling alcohol to minors, according to sheriff’s Capt. Steve Morris.
Ronak Patel, the 23-year-old clerk at Lewiston Express, was cited for selling alcohol without proper identification. A 20-year-old deputy bought a Coors Light 12-pack at the Grovetown store located at 107 Lewiston Road, according to a sheriff’s office report.
The clerk of Sprint at 3701 Washington Road in Martinez also was cited. Yasheika Laquell Hawthorne, 25, sold a 12-pack of Bud Light to the undercover deputy, according to another report.
The businesses refusing to sell alcohol to the underage deputy were Circle K at 261 Fury’s Ferry Road in Martinez, Liquor and More at 3821 Washington Road in Martinez, Enmark at 221 Bobby Jones Expressway in Martinez, Stuckey’s BP at 4099 Belair Road in Grovetown, Fuel Express at 440 S. Belair Road in Martinez, TPS at 499 Lewiston Road in Grovetown, and Pumpkin Center Store at 1313 Appling Harlem Highway in Harlem.
What If...
What if that 20 year old deputy had been in those stores previously and they recognized him as an officer? They would assume he wouldn't break the law. Not exactly playing fair.
I really don't think
The deputy in question does not have Police Officer Certification. He might be a deputy sheriff (jailer). Somebody that is 20 is to young to be hired as a certified deputy in Columbia County.
The Story Says Deputy
Well, maybe he is not a deputy, but the story says he is. If he has been in those stores under any circumstance representing law enforcement, it's not fair to use him to buy alcohol and arrest those people who may have known him from his official status. The fact is the two clerks arrested and jailed seem to be both, hard working, young people who don't make a red cent selling the beer. Honestly, it's just not right.
really?
How hard can it be to check ALL ID really? it only takes a few secs. why would you not. lazy? what?
Storiesihaveread: incorrect.
Storiesihaveread: incorrect. That deputy has been hired and has certification.
The beer/liquor license
The beer/liquor license should automatically be revoked for 12 months first offense. Second offense owner goes to jail and the license is revoked.
River an
The article says they were "cited" ...not arrested and jailed. These stings are for the stores, not the employees. And, if all they had to do to avoid any issues was ask for ID, they deserve what they get. What if this deputy purposely went to locations he/she does not frequent.......the locations were rather random.
River an
The article says they were "cited" ...not arrested and jailed. These stings are for the stores, not the employees. And, if all they had to do to avoid any issues was ask for ID, they deserve what they get. What if this deputy purposely went to locations he/she does not frequent.......the locations were rather random.
So...
So we cite two young people out working hard who sell beer to someone a few months before he turns 21. Big dang deal. In addition, if the officer goes in those stores now and then in uniform as I suspect, the people probably know him as an officer and would assume he wouldn't do anything illegal.