Danville police tackle underage alcohol sales

Danville police, in cooperation with the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Enforcement Division, has charged 10 people with selling alcohol to minors at local convenience stores after conducting underage buys since February.

The following people were charged with a class 1 misdemeanor:

w Jennifer Carol Carter, of Danville; sale on Feb. 22 at Sunrise, Memorial Drive

w Adrian Forrest Thomas, of Blairs; sale on April 26 at Juniors Convenient Market, Worsham Street

w Lynda Dean Flynt, of Danville; sale on April 27 at Daytona Mart, Riverside Drive

w Crystal Gale Warren, of Yanceyville, N.C.; sale on April 26 at Daytona Mart, Riverside Drive

w Matthew Joseph Mease, of Danville; sales on April 26 and 27 at Super C Convenience Store, North Main Street

w Keon Dechaz Averett, of Danville; sales on March 12 and 16 at Sunrise, South Main

w Pearl Christine Harris, of Danville; sales on April 26 and 27 at Joy Food Store, Riverside Drive

w Charles Arnold Riley, of Danville; sale on March 26 at Valero, Goodyear Boulevard

w Samuel Allen Pierce, of Chatham; sales on Feb. 22, March 12 and March 16 at ANP Grocery, Berryman Avenue

w Elbert Lamont McCain, of Danville; sale on Feb. 22 at Sunrise, South Main

The operation, funded in part by a grant from the Danville-Pittsylvania Regional Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention, began Feb. 22 after 15 caseswere made for violation of state code for alcohol sales.

According to a Danville Police Department news release, the stores were determined by geographic location within the community police area, as well as stores where complaints or intelligence of underage sales had been gathered.

Not only do the people charged in the investigation face criminal charges, but their stores could be subject to a hearing before the Virginia ABC Board — and face possible civil penalties.