10 Okeechobee County Businesses Sold To Minor In Sheriff's Office Raid

OKEECHOBEE, Fla. (CBS12) – A minor left with alcohol or a vape pen at more than a quarter of the nearly 50 businesses where the individual tried, the Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) reported.

The sheriff's office released the results of its operation this week, which sent the minor to 48 stores, supermarkets, liquor stores and convenience stores. According to its figures, the minor purchased alcohol eight times and an e-cigarette once.

In a tenth case, the individual was not allowed to buy alcohol in the supermarket; however, the minor was offered an alcoholic beverage in the grocery store parking lot.

Thirty-eight establishments refused to sell alcohol or nicotine products, the OCSO said.

See also: Scammer arrested with over 100 gold bars after targeting seniors with fake money orders: MCSO

Here is a list of all the businesses where alcohol and vape pens were purchased:

• Aldi– 330, Highway 441 South – Alcoholic beverage purchased
• Bills Mini Market– 3007 State Road 70 East – Alcoholic beverage purchased
• Exhale Smoke Shop-1705, Highway 441 South- Nicotine dispensing device purchased
• La Fiesta Supermarket- 1774 State Road 70 West – An outside passerby provided an alcoholic beverage to a minor.
• La Placita– 1002 State Road 70 West – Alcoholic beverage purchased
• Lake and trail USA– 1253 State Road 78 West – Alcoholic beverage purchased
• CourseTrac– 975 State Road 70 East – Alcoholic beverage purchased
• Rocket Fuel– 511, highway 441 South – Alcoholic beverage purchased
• Sunoco Gas Station– 3093 Highway 98 North – Alcoholic beverage purchased
• City Star– 3993 State Road 710 – Alcoholic beverage purchased

At locations where the minor purchased alcohol or nicotine products, the person selling them was summoned to Okeechobee County Court, the sheriff's office said. The person who supplied alcohol in the parking lot of the La Fiesta supermarket also received a summons.

OCSO described the initiative as part of its ongoing efforts to protect the community. He asked anyone who knows of an establishment selling to minors to contact the sheriff's office at 863-763-3117.