3 Store clerks arrested for selling alcoholic beverages to 20-year-old during underage drinking initiative
NEW YORK STATE POLICE
Major Robin H. Benziger
Troop K Commander
Dutchess County, New York – On December 8, 2015, Members of the New York State Police conducted an underage drinking enforcement operation in northern Dutchess County. Seventeen stores were checked by utilizing a 20-year-old volunteer to purchase alcoholic beverages under the observation of plainclothes investigators. Three subjects sold alcoholic beverages to the volunteer and were arrested. The following persons were charged during the operation:
Melissa Love, 33 years old, of Poughkeepsie, New York, employed by Poughkeepsie Wine and Liquor in the City of Poughkeepsie.
Tiffany Whyble, 21 years old, of Hyde Park, employed by Hyde Park Mobil Mart in Hyde Park.
Julian Gevargis, age 66, of Hyde Park, employed by Julian’s Deli and Market in Hyde Park.
The defendants were charged with the Misdemeanor of Unlawful Dealing with a Child in the 1st Degree. 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.
