2 Charged, Manager Cited In Huntington Bar Crackdown: Police

HUNTINGTON, NY — Two bartenders were charged, and a bar manager was cited during State Liquor Authority (SLA) inspections at two Huntington-area bars Friday night, Suffolk County police said.

According to police, Second Precinct Crime Section officers conducted the inspections alongside the New York State Liquor Authority, the Town of Huntington Fire Marshal, and the town’s ordinance inspector following separate community complaints.

At McKeown’s Pub, located at 1 Clinton Ave. in Huntington, officers inspected at around 10:10 p.m., police said. During the inspection, underage police agents were reportedly served alcoholic beverages by bartenders.

Police charged Jessica Maracina, 37, and Joseph Guditus, 40, both of Huntington, with two counts of unlawfully dealing with a child in the first degree, a misdemeanor, police said.

Both were issued field appearance tickets and are scheduled to appear in First District Court on Feb. 19, rather than taking them into custody, police said.

Being charged with a misdemeanor does not require going to jail to be considered an arrest, as you may receive a citation or summons in place of physical custody.

The Town of Huntington Fire Marshal and ordinance inspector issued four combined fire and building code violations to the establishment, police said. The bar was also cited for five Alcoholic Beverage Control Law violations, and the New York State Liquor Authority is conducting a further investigation, according to police.

Later that evening, at around 11:40 p.m., officers conducted another inspection at Instant Replay Sports Bar, located at 282 E. Jericho Turnpike in South Huntington, police said. During that inspection, the manager, Marvin Urrutia Diaz, was cited for two SLA violations. The Fire Marshal also issued two violations, police said. The New York State Liquor Authority is conducting a further investigation into the establishment.