Sheriff’s Office continues crackdown on underage alcohol sales

Published 11:06 am Friday, October 7, 2022

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In yet another check of parish businesses to see if any will sell alcohol to a minor, the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted an undercover operation on Sept. 29-30, according to WPSO Chief Criminal Deputy Mike Haley.

Twenty-eight parish businesses were visited by a minor wishing to purchase alcohol. Clerks at 17 parish business establishments willingly sold alcohol to a minor without checking for proper identification, Haley said.

Bogalusa businesses that sold alcohol to a minor were:

  • Highway 10 One Stop.
  • Chevron on Sunset Drive.
  • Chevron on Highway 10 east.
  • Jr. Food Mart.
  • Pumping Station.
  • Texaco on Avenue F.
  • Texaco on Highway 21 South.
  • JZ Quick Shop.
  • Liberty on Highway 10 east.

Franklinton-area businesses that sold alcohol to a minor were:

  • Town Crier.
  • Winn-Dixie.
  • CVS.
  • Shell.
  • Bridge Store.
  • Chevron on Washington Street.
  • John’s Shop.

In addition to underage alcohol sales, the Diamond Vapor Lounge in Franklinton sold vape items to the underage buyer, Haley said. The Varnado Chevron also reportedly sold alcohol to a minor.

“To say that this is unacceptable is a gross understatement,” Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal said. “I can fathom no excuse why any business would sell alcohol to a minor. It’s a simple equation. Check the driver’s license on all purchasers. If the buyer is underage, do not sell them any alcohol. End of discussion.”