Busting Alcohol Sales To Teens

JACKSONVILLE, FL - With more than 7,000 businesses licensed to sell alcohol in Duval County, the State Agency overseeing those businesses has its hands full trying to insure underage drinkers aren't served.

On Friday night, it was time to do a random check of more than a dozen establishments to see if they would sell alcohol to underage decoys. The law requires the decoys be under age 21, and not dress or use extensive makeup to make them appear older.

The girls go into the stores trying to buy alcohol. If they succeed, the clerks are then arrested by agents waiting in the wings.

Captain Elizabeth Ledbetter of the State Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco told First Coast News the law is very clear about selling to anyone under age 21.

"We have over 7,000 licensed establishments in Duval County. Any of them and all of them are subject to being checked by underage operative on any given night of the week."

From the Southside to a gas station on Old St Augustine Road, the clerks shot down the would-be underage drinkers. It was the same thing at the ABC Liquor Store on Blanding Boulevard, where the so-called, "alco-pops" stayed on the shelf.

"They're often mistaken for soft drinks...usually by underage person and often the clerks aren't even aware that they contain alcoholic beverages," said Captain Ledbetter.

As the decoys go inside to try to buy, other agents wait nearby for word the sale was denied or made. They're ready to pounce at a moment's notice. At one Blanding Boulevard store, the girls were denied, but agents say the manager of an adjacent business hanging out front offered to break the law for them.

Radio traffic cracked over the stake-out frequency.

"What do you have Gene?" said one officer.

"Got a white male. White bandana...he's going in to make the buy for the underage."

When the alcohol was handed to the underage girls outside the store, the agents moved in and the buyer was handcuffed.

"The statute is not specifically for licensed establishments. It's for anyone," said Ledbetter.

"It doesn't matter that he's not a store clerk or he doesn't work in a convenience store or a grocery store or bar. It could be anyone, including a parent!"

The goal, she says, is to keep clerks following to law with hopes of preventing a tragedy.

"Underage getting in contact with alcohol and being involved in a fatality or an accident or even a date rape. Any type of traumatic incident like that."

In most cases, the arrested clerks are not taken to jail, but are instead issued a 'Notice To Appear' before a judge at a later date.

On this Friday night, there were two arrests made after checking fifteen businesses licensed to sell alcohol.