Meth-related charges aren’t store owner’s only problem
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Patel, 49, entered a not-guilty plea before General Sessions Judge Larry Ross Tuesday morning to the charge of illegal sale of alcohol for allegedly having part in selling beer to an undercover 20-year-old operative during a recent operation involving 22 local businesses.
Patel’s appearance in court comes just three days after he was freed on $100,000 bond for allegedly selling meth-making materials to undercover agents on eight occasions over the past year. The alleged sales of pseudoepherdrine, a key component used in the manufacture of meth, were made out of his network of local stores and from his home. Patel was arrested last Thursday as authorities searched his store, the former Hillis’ Market on Old Smithville Road.
His charges regarding the sale of alcohol to a minor come not due to his actual sale, but because of his refusal to tell authorities which of his employees did make the illegal sale. In the summons issued to Patel, police say a buy was made from an employee of the store while Patel was there. However, when asked to tell which employee made the sale, Patel refused to cooperate, thereby leading to the charges against him.
While not identified as the person who made the sale from his convenience store, Patel has a past when it comes to the sale of alcohol to operatives. Last year he entered a guilty plea to selling beer to an underage operative and was fined $750 plus costs and placed on probation for one year. He was also fined $250 apiece for each of his three stores where he or an employee sold beer to the operative in 2004.
There were five total sales from his stores last year, prompting strong criticism of his business practices by police. It was around that time the investigation into his illegal pseudoepherdrine sales began.
Saying he did not make the sale on this occasion, Patel opted Tuesday to set a trial date. He will face the misdemeanor charge Oct. 10. His next appearance in federal court on the meth charges comes Sept. 12.
While Patel opted not to enter a plea, two other defendants, not related to Patel but who sold beer to the operative, did enter plea agreements Tuesday. Aurturo Valadez and Sherry Nunley both entered guilty pleas to one count of illegal beer sales and were placed on probation for six months and fined $750 plus costs.
There are four accused owner/clerks who have opted to go to trial on their charges. The remainder have entered pleas.