Details:
Sheriff Chad Chronister is pleased to announce the results of a multi-agency underage drinking crackdown. From June 24 to July 3, 2019, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office SUCCEED (Sheriff's Underage Compliance Checks, Education, and Enforcement) program, along with agents from Florida Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT), conducted 215 alcohol compliance checks, for sales of alcoholic beverages to underage individuals, at stores throughout Hillsborough County.During the operation, 15 clerks were found to be non-compliant and were either arrested, issued a court date or entered into the SAO Diversion program.
"This operation directly increases the safety of teens in Hillsborough County," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Now they won't be able to visit these businesses and buy alcohol. I want to remind everyone that underage drinking is not only illegal, but it is dangerous. Please, don't risk your life or your future on a drink."
The operation was made possible due to the recent formation of the county-wide DUI Enforcement Squad. Sheriff Chronister announced the centralized DUI squad in April. The squad is made up of deputies specially trained to detect and apprehend impaired and intoxicated drivers. The squad also focuses on underage drinking education and crackdown efforts.
Since the inception of the DUI squad in April, HCSO has seen a 42% increase in DUI arrests. From April 8 to July 5, 513 people were arrested for DUI. During the same time frame last year (April 8, 2018 - July 5, 2018), there were 361 arrests.
"When we realized that DUI traffic fatalities were on the rise in 2018, I wanted to be proactive and take steps to reduce those numbers and make our roadways safer. That's why the DUI squad was created," said Sheriff Chronister. "We've increased our manpower at the Sheriff's Office, which has allowed us to put more deputies on the road searching for impaired drivers. Even one life saved because of our efforts is a success in my book."
The following locations were found to be non-compliant during the operation and the following individuals were arrested:
Arts Lounge 10816 92 Hw E - Timothy Kelly 02/26/1959
Publix 3863 301 Hw S - Abiola Omosebi 09/19/1970
Marathon 12859 301 Hw S - Fibu Thomas 10/23/1989
Publix 13154 301 Hw S - Nina Smith 05/10/1958
Golden King 11369 301 Hw N - Javed Kamal 04/02/1957
ABC Liquor 2330 Fletcher Av E - Peter Tulloch 12/23/1993
Shell 6605 Dr. King Bl E - Mohssen Ebrahim Nassed 09/01/1956
Winn Dixie 16751 Fishhawk Bl - Robert Orlando 07/26/1947
Radiant 6933 301 Hw S - Terri Lattimore 02/28/1994
Sunoco 4714 Causeway Bl W - Fakher Nawar 11/28/1953
Shell 965 Brandon Bl E - Mrco Arizmendi-Perez 09/10/1986
Circle K 11755 579 Hw - Jason Moreno 03/29/1981
7-11 5601 Fletcher Av E - Janice Dukes 01/29/1970
Beverage Castle 11730 56th St N - James Smargon 01/05/1955
7 Star 7749 Temple Terrace Hw - Michael Whitaker 10/06/1973