5 Caught In Crackdown On Sales Of Alcohol To Minors

The sheriff's office cracked down on sales of alcohol to minors on Wednesday with the help of state agents and undercover teenagers.

Tips from the community led to the sting operation that targeted 20 randomly selected stores. Two informants, ages 17 and 18, were the "customers" who illegally purchased alcohol.

Investigators made sure the teens looked young enough to compel a request for identification, according to the sheriff's office.

Out of the 20 stores, five of them sold alcohol to the pair. All five clerks were charged with sale of alcohol to a minor, but only three were arrested. Sgt. Jim Powers, sheriff's spokesman, said two of the clerks did not have anyone else to man the store in their absence so they were issued notices to appear in court.

The sheriff's office gave this list of arrestees and their respective stores:

*John L. Sturino, 65, Hess at 4707 Commercial Way.

*Nina M. Gusmano, 32, Circle K at 6227 Deltona Blvd.

*Dottie M. Vasquez, 23, Circle K at 13077 Cortez Blvd.

*Daniel R. Ray, 29, BP at 14314 Spring Hill Drive.

*Marion T. Sarafinko, 41, Hess at 4159 Mariner Blvd.

Powers said these types of operations send a warning to other clerks that law enforcement does not take underage alcohol sales lightly.

"We're not going to tolerate it," he said.

It's unclear whether the clerks nabbed in the sting were too busy to check IDs or doing a favor, Powers said.

The sheriff's office teamed up with the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco to perform the operation. In the past three years, the state has averaged 8,678 compliance checks per year resulting in an average of 1,252 arrests per year.

The administrative penalty for business owners who violate the law regulating sales of alcohol to minors allows for penalties up to a $1,000 fine and a seven-day suspension of their liquor license. Subsequent violations can result in a $3,000 fine and a 30-day license suspension, followed by a license revocation.

In criminal court, the second-degree misdemeanor is punishable by up to a $500 fine and 60 days in jail.