Illegal alcohol sales result in charges

Posted: Monday, July 26, 2010 9:06 pm
By: Chris Menees, Staff Reporter

By CHRIS MENEES
Staff Reporter
Eight people from seven local businesses were charged with alcohol offenses Friday after Union City police conducted compliance checks in conjunction with Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
Teen access to alcohol through illegal purchases at alcohol retail establishments across the state was the focus of compliance checks held Friday, Sat-urday and Sunday when MADD Tennessee and law enforcement agencies throughout Tennessee partnered for the effort.
Union City Police Chief Joe Garner said the Union City Police Department conducted a total of 10 checks — with charges levied for the sale of alcohol to a person under the age of 21 after sales were made at seven of the businesses.
The undercover effort involved the use of a certified police officer from another local law enforcement agency who was of legal drinking age and two other people who were under the age of 21, according to police reports.
“These results are alarming as it gives us a snapshot of the rate of illegal alcohol sales,” Garner said. “When estab-lishments sell alcohol to a minor, it underscores the need for us to organize a coordinated attack against youth alcohol access, which affects thousands of young Americans each year.
“The Union City Police Department does not take these results lightly and will be conducting more compliance checks — more frequently to resolve this problem,” he added.
Among those issued misdemeanor citations for the sale of alcohol to a person under the age of 21 were:
• Cheryl M. Burpo, 42, of 3164 Section Line Road, Union City, who was charged at Bill Cody’s at 204 South First St., where the three individuals went to the bar and ordered beer from the bartender. Police reported Ms. Burpo asked for identification and the three showed their original I.D.’s, but Ms. Burpo allegedly failed to look at the dates of birth and sold alcohol to the two individuals not of legal age.
• Kimberly Dawn Wright, 36, of 1090 Campground Road, Troy, who was charged at Bottoms Up at 112 South First St., where those involved in the sting all ordered from the bartender and allegedly were not carded — asked to show their identifications — to check their ages.
• Brandie Marie Stribling, 26, of 722 Broadway, Obion, who was charged at 3J’s convenience store at 1215 South Miles Ave., where someone under age 21 allegedly was able to purchase a six-pack of beer from the clerk.
• Jessica Vanhalen Elliott, 23, of 5850 State Route 94 East, Fulton, and Jenny L. Jackson, 35, of 985 Morris Road, Clinton, Ky., who were both charged at Shenanigan’s at 2227 Phebus Lane, Union City, where the three individuals had their I.D.’s checked at the door and then were admitted into the bar area. Police reported the three all went inside and ordered beer from the bartender, with one of the underage females paying. After they were served, Ms. Jackson allegedly approached and asked to see their identifications again. When they presented them, they were told they were not allowed to be in the bar since they are under age 21 and Ms. Jackson allegedly then offered for them to pour their beers into cups and allowed them to leave with them, according to the police report.
• Trista Dawn Vickers, 25, of 714 Crestview Drive, Greenfield, who was charged at Reelfoot BP at 1215 South Miles Ave., where someone under 21 years of age was allegedly able to purchase a six-pack of beer from the clerk.
• Clayburn Thomas Mayhall, 20, of 403 South Sixth St., Union City, who was charged at Express Shop 56 at 2021 West Reelfoot Ave., where one of the individuals under the age of 21 allegedly was able to purchase a six-pack of beer from the clerk, whom the informant indicated she had known her whole life.
• Louise Danielle Johnson, 22, of 401 East Hurt Ave., Lot 17, Obion, who was charged at Shell Pockets at 1605 West Reelfoot Ave., where someone under age 21 allegedly was able to purchase a six-pack of beer from the clerk.
The 21 drinking age law and its enforcement have proven to save more than 25,000 lives since states started enacting it in 1975. While it turns 26 years old this month, some want the public to believe it is out of date or old and ineffective, according to MADD — which said these inaccuracies not only undermine enforcement of the law but endanger lives.
MADD said in a press release that the law “helps save lives and prevents injuries both on and off the roadways.”
Staff Reporter Chris Menees may be contacted by e-mail at cmenees@ucmessenger.com.
Published in The Messenger 7.26.10