12 Store Clerks Sold Alcohol To Minors During Sting: Manatee Sheriff

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — Twelve clerks at 11 stores were issued notices to appear in court for selling alcohol to a minor during a recent sting operation, according to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Detectives worked with Drug Free Manatee to conduct the countywide underage drinking operation last weekend, targeting stores that sell or serve alcohol.

With the help of three underage informants, detectives visited 83 stores.

• 7-11, 2011 Cortez Road West, Bradenton
• Exxon, 5929 14th Street West, Bradenton
• Speedway, 8604 State Road 70 East, Bradenton (2 separate transactions)
• Circle K, 5944 20th Street East, Bradenton
• 7-11, 14427 State Road 64 East, Bradenton
• RaceTrac, 6005 53rd Ave. East, Bradenton
• Marathon, 3101 15th Street East, Bradenton
• Circle K, 904 30th Ave. East, Bradenton
• Citgo, 6306 15th Street East, Bradenton
• 7-11, 4451 Tallevast Road, Bradenton
• Shell, 8471 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota

Detectives conduct underage alcohol operations several times a year at random locations around Manatee County.

“You never know when we might show up and catch you in the act. It’s incredibly irresponsible with dangerous consequences,” Sheriff Rick Wells said.

He also encourages parents to remind their teenagers about the seriousness of drinking and the criminal charges they can face for possessing or consuming alcoholic beverages.

Under Florida Statute 562.11, selling, giving, or serving alcoholic beverages to a person under age 21 is a second-degree misdemeanor with a sentence of up to 60 days in jail and a fine up to $500, MCSO said.

It’s also a criminal offense for a person under the age of 21 to possess or consume alcoholic beverages. Underage possession is a misdemeanor offense that may include jail, probation and a permanent criminal record.