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Within the past few weeks, the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted a JUDE (Juvenile Underage Drinking Enforcement) operation throughout the parish to identify businesses that might be selling alcohol to juveniles, according to WPSO Chief Criminal Deputy Mike Haley.

In late May, 15 businesses were visited and four of them sold alcohol to the juvenile who was working with deputies, Haley said. Those four businesses were Chevron in Varnado, Market Max in Franklinton, Bridge Store in Franklinton and Stop 2 Food Mart in Franklinton. Clerks at each business were issued a summons to appear in court.

On July 1, other businesses in the parish were visited. Once again, four businesses sold alcohol to a juvenile, Haley said. Those businesses were Chevron on Sunset Drive, Chevron on Marshall Richardson Road, The Pumping Station on Memphis Street and the JZ Quick Stop on Louisiana Highway 21. Clerks at each offending business were issued a summons to appear in court.

“While eight parish businesses sold alcohol to a juvenile, 26 did not,” Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal said. “I commend the numerous businesses that verified the age of the juvenile customer and refused to sell alcohol to them. I caution all businesses to always check the identification and age of customers who desire to purchase alcohol.

“If the individual is less than 21 years old, Louisiana law requires that alcohol outlets do not sell alcohol to them. That is the law and we will continue to enforce it. My hope is that the next round of business checks produces zero violators.”