City Liquor Store Clerk Charged with Selling Alcohol to a Minor

A 22-year-old employee of a city liquor store allegedly sold alcohol to a minor during a recent alcohol compliance check by Newport Police.

Police said Jonathan M. Atkins, 22, of Greenfield, Mass., did not check the ID of an undercover operative working with police on Thursday.

Police said the compliance check of the six liquor stores was in response to complaints about recent sales of alcohol to minors.

The minor was denied at Fifth Ward Liquors, Wellington Liquors, Harry’s Liquors and Andrew’s Liquors when she attempted to buy alcohol with a $20 bill.

But at Bridge Liquors on Connell Highway where Atkins was working, police said, the minor was sold a four pack of Seagram’s Jamaican Me Happy and given change for the $20 bill.

Police returned to the liquor store a short time later and Atkins, a student at Salve Regina University living locally on Thames Street, confirmed that he never checked for ID.

Atkins was informed that the store owners would be contacted Friday regarding the incident. They also told him to come to police headquarters on Friday to be issued a District Court summons for selling alcohol to an underage person.

Newport Police Lt. William Fitzgerald said the matter will be reviewed by city administration. The owner of the liquor store could face sanctions if the city decides to proceed with a show cause hearing.

MARIJUANA

Police cited Patrick R. Corcoran, 24, of 63 Burnside Ave., Newport, with marijuana possession Thursday at around 8:15 a.m.

Police said Corcoran was stopped for failing to stop at a stop sign on Annandale Avenue and the officer smelled a strong odor of marijuana in the car.

Police found a small amount of marijuana (.2 ounces) in the car and he was issued a citation.