State Police conduct underage drinking initiative in Dutchess County

Dutchess County, New York – On July 20, 2019, the New York State Police conducted plain-clothes checks of twenty retail locations in Dutchess County that sell alcohol to ensure their compliance with New York State’s Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Law.  This enforcement initiative resulted in one arrest for violations of the ABC Law, and the New York State Penal Law.

Veronica Casnocha, age 72, of New Windsor, NY, an employee of Poughkeepsie Wine and Liquor, located at 701 Main Street in the town of Poughkeepsie, was arrested for Prohibited Sales of an Alcoholic Beverage, and Unlawful Dealing with a Child in the 1^stdegree, both class A misdemeanors.  Casnocha was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the city of Poughkeepsie Court on July 25, 2019, at 9:00 a.m.

According to the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, underage drinking is associated with the three most common causes of death among youth, including accidental deaths (e.g., car crashes), homicides, and suicides.  The State Police will continue to conduct underage drinking enforcement details statewide in order to protect the citizens of NYS and its youth.