Police look at suspending beer licenses
Police say they intend to seek suspension of alcoholic beverage licenses for some of the businesses caught in the recent undercover beer-buying operation.
Guilty pleas were entered Tuesday by the remaining Warren County suspects. Both Rajash Kumar of Westwood Amoco and Nirmela Patel of Hillis BP were given 11-month, 29-day probationary sentences and were fined $1,500 plus costs on two counts of selling beer to a minor.
Suresh Patel of Stop & Go Market on Old Morrison Road was given an 11-29 probationary sentence and fined $750 for one count. The other clerks caught in the sting were given the same sentences last week. The fine this time for the clerks was the highest ever, as prior offenders were fined just $500.
The suspects were amongst 10 store owners and/or clerks cited for selling to a 19-year-old operative last month. The operative reported going into the stores and buying beer without showing ID. State law forbids the sale of alcoholic beverages to people under 21. The operation was run both in Warren and Van Buren County. The clerks in Van Buren County still have their cases pending.
Meanwhile, with the resolution of the final criminal cases in Warren County, focus now turns to the civil punishments the stores will face.
Inside the city limits of McMinnville, Police Chief Joe Melton said examples will be set.
“We plan to ask for suspensions for at least part of the businesses which were caught,” Melton said, noting those businesses will be announced at the upcoming beer board hearing, along with his reasons for asking for suspension. “It’s going to hurt but it needs to.”
Melton said he intends to ask for 90-day suspensions of beer licenses, which would generally mean the loss of thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars in revenue for the stores. In past beer operations, first-time offenders have been afforded the choice of a fine or suspension, with almost all opting for the fine. Subsequent offenders have generally had their licenses suspended for times ranging from 30 days to 90 days. One establishment, Jos?’s, had its license permanently revoked a few years ago after its third infraction.
A three-member panel will listen to evidence and decide the punishment the stores will face. A date has not been set for the hearing but Melton said he will ask the matter be heard at the earliest possible date, perhaps as early as next week.