Two store clerks charged with selling alcoholic beverages to a minor

Dutchess County, New York – On June 14, 2016, members of the New York State Police conducted an underage drinking enforcement operation in northern Dutchess County. Local businesses were checked by utilizing a 19-year-old volunteer to purchase alcoholic beverages under the observation of plainclothes investigators.

Two subjects sold alcoholic beverages to the volunteer and were arrested. The following persons were charged during the operation:

Joseph Warnot, 25 years old, of Rhinebeck, New York, employed by Rhinebeck Mobil Gas Station on Springbrook Avenue, in the Village of Rhinebeck.

Sreejith Ammamathil, age 25, of Poughkeepsie, employed by the Shell Gas Station on State Route 9, 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 following businesses did NOT sell to the underage buyer and are to be commended for their compliance with the New York State Alcohol Beverage Control Act:
Stewarts – State Route 9, Hyde Park
Speedway – State Route 9, Hyde Park
Park Beverage Center – State Route 9, Hyde Park
Bourbon Street Liquors – State Route 9, Hyde Park
Sunoco Gas Station – State Route 9, Hyde Park
Hilltop Deli – State Route 9, Staatsburg
Citgo Mart – South Mill Street, Rhinebeck
Old Mill Wine and Spirits – South Mill Street, Rhinebeck
Park Plaza Liquor Store – South Parsonage Street, Rhinebeck
CVS – East Market Street, Rhinebeck
Mobil Mart – State Route 308, Rhinebeck
Mobil Mart – State Route 9 and 9G, Rhinebeck
Shell Mart – State Route 9G, Rhinebeck
Stewarts (south) – State Route 9, Red Hook

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.