An investigation into convenience stores in Sumter County selling alcohol to minors has revealed multiple stores violated state law, including three stores in The Villages.
The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office was prompted to launch a special investigation after receiving multiple complaints of underage alcohol purchases from convenience stores throughout the county. In an effort to combat underage drinking, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigation Squad conducted a month long operation checking local businesses that sell alcohol.
During the investigation, detectives, along with an individual who was clearly under the legal drinking age, made attempts to purchase alcohol from 60 businesses in the county. Of the 60 businesses, 16 were found to violate state law prohibiting alcoholic sales to minors.
A clerk working at the Publix Liquors at Spanish Plaines 1566 Bella Cruz Drive as well as a clerk at the Southern Trace Plaza location at 3471 Edgewood Lane, allegedly sold alcohol to the undercover minor. A clerk at the Circle K at 2465 Burnsed Boulevard also was found to sell to the undercover minor.
All three clerks have been issued notices to appear in court.
The other businesses were cited during the investigation:
- 7-Eleven – 11670 US HWY 302, Oxford
- Mobil – 368 State Road 44, Wildwood
- Circle K — 22 E County Road 470, Lake Panasoffkee
- Chevron — 43 E County Road 470, Lake Panasoffkee
- AA Discount Beverage – 2854 N County Road 470, Lake Panasoffkee
- Carters Country Store – 7018 N County Road 470, Lake Panasoffkee
- Sumter Liquor – 1128 N Main Street, Bushnell
- Citgo – 2192 W County Road 48, Bushnell
- 7-Eleven – 2460 W County Road 48, Bushnell
- Loves Travel Stop – 2615 W County Road 48, Bushnell
- Circle K – 2055 W County Road 48, Bushnell
- BP Gas Station – 374 N Market Blvd, Webster
- Mi Guanajuato Corp – 75 County Road 48, Center Hill
All the clerks at these locations were issued notices to appear in court.
The sheriff’s office emphasizes that enforcement efforts will continue through Sumter County, and asks for help from the community. If you have any information you’d like to share, detectives ask that “If you see something, say something.” You can also report criminal activity anonymously through Crinoline at 1-800-423-TIPS.
