2 Store Clerks Charged With Selling Alcoholic Beverages to a Teenager in Dutchess County

2 Store Clerks Charged With Selling Alcoholic Beverages to a Teenager in Dutchess County

NEW YORK STATE POLICE 
Major Robin H. Benziger
Troop K Commander

PRESS RELEASE

Dutchess County, New York – On November 30, 2015, Members of the New York State Police conducted an underage drinking enforcement operation in Dutchess County. Fifteen stores were checked by utilizing an 18-year-old volunteer to purchase alcoholic beverages under the observation of plainclothes investigators supported by uniformed troopers. Two subjects sold an alcoholic beverage to the volunteer and were arrested. The following persons were charged during the operation:

Singh Onkar, 51 years old, of Poughkeepsie, employed by the Exxon Gas Station located in Poughkeepsie

Krishnan R. Patel, age 34, of Stony Point, employed by the Mobil Gas Station in LaGrange

The defendants were charged with the misdemeanor of Unlawful Dealing with a Minor. They were issued appearance tickets to appear in local courts at a later date and released. In addition, their employers face possible civil penalties imposed by the State Liquor Authority.

The New York State Police, with investigative support provided by the New York State Liquor Authority, routinely conducts underage drinking enforcement operations throughout the state in an effort to curb alcohol abuse and DWI incidents among teenagers.