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The people charged and businesses that failed a recent compliance check are: Eljo Joseph, 35, Shell Gas, 3411 Danbury Road, Southeast; and Nicholas Ligouri, 58, Bella Vino Spirits, Routes 6/22, Southeast. At both businesses, the clerks -- accused of completing sales without requiring proper identification -- were charged with first-degree unlawfully dealing with a child and issued an appearance ticket returnable to Southeast Town Court.
Undercover members of the Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Enforcement Unit, in conjunction with the Putnam County Communities That Care Coalition which funds the operation, conducted 112 spot checks on businesses that sell alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption. During the checks, an underage person under the direct supervision of a law enforcement officer attempted to buy alcohol from the establishment without showing proof of age, as required by law. If a sale was completed, an arrest summons was issued to the party who sold the alcohol.
During the investigation, compliance checks were conducted in each town and village in the county. The spot checks were conducted at various times during the day, and the businesses were identified through a list of licensed establishments provided by the state Division of Alcohol Beverage Control.
A conviction for the offense carries a maximum penalty of up to one year imprisonment and/or a fine not to exceed $1,000.00. In addition, the state Division of Alcohol Beverage Control will be notified for a determination if administrative action should be undertaken against the establishment for the violation.
For 2014 there were 13 violations and arrests, and for 2013 four people were charged.
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