Store owners or clerks at four local businesses have been cited for selling beer to minors as a result of an undercover investigation conducted jointly by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and the Smithville and Alexandria Police Departments.
25 year old Langed Bassem Nabil Samir of Alexandria, owner of the Alexandria Discount Beer and Tobacco store on Nashville Highway; 32 year old Jennifer Sims of McMinnville, an employee of the Tobacco Discount Store on West Broad Street, Smithville; 56 year old Allison Ferguson of Smithville, an employee of Mapco Express on East Broad Street, Smithville; and 42 year old Areceli Soto Godinez of Smithville, owner of Nicole’s Market on Short Mountain Highway, have each been cited for the illegal sale of alcohol to a minor under 21 years of age.
All four defendants will appear in General Sessions Court on October 29. If found guilty, these businesses could face fines and the loss of their beer licenses.
The undercover operation occurred over a two week period.
In the first case, Alexandria Police Chief Mark Collins said “On September 22, an undercover operative who was under 21 years of age, entered and attempted to illegally purchase beer within the city limits of Alexandria. The operative was denied beer purchases from C&C Market and the Alexandria Dollar Store but an illegal purchase of beer was made from the Alexandria Discount Beer and Tobacco on Nashville Highway. The store owner, 25 year old Langed Bassem Nabil Samir of Nashville Highway Alexandria was cited for illegal sale of alcohol to a minor under 21 years of age,” said Chief Collins.
Meanwhile, Smithville Police Lieutenant Matt Holmes said “On September 23, the same undercover operative, attempted to illegally purchase alcohol from all businesses who are licensed to sell beer and/or liquor within the city limits of Smithville. All but two businesses refused to sell beer to the operative. An illegal purchase of beer was made from the Tobacco Discount Store on West Broad Street. An employee of the store, 32 year old Jennifer Sims of West End Avenue, McMinnville was cited for the illegal sale of alcohol to a minor under 21 years of age. An illegal purchase of beer was also made from the Mapco Express Store on East Broad Street. 56 year old Allison Ferguson of Hurricane Ridge Road Smithville, a store clerk was cited for the illegal sale of alcohol to a minor under 21 years of age,” said Lt. Holmes.
In the last case, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department Detective Jeremy Taylor said “On September 28, the same undercover operative attempted to purchase beer from numerous businesses within the county. An illegal beer purchase was made from the owner of Nicole’s Market on Short Mountain Highway. 42 year old Areceli Soto Godinez of Short Mountain Highway Smithville was cited for the illegal sale of alcohol to a minor under 21 years of age,” said Detective Taylor.
Authorities wish to thank all of the businesses who followed the law during this investigation.
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