News Release — Targeting Sale of Alcohol and Vape Products to Underage Persons

WARREN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
200 SKYLINE VISTA DRIVE · FRONT ROYAL, VIRGINIA 22630
Mark A. Butler, Sheriff
NEWS RELEASE |
The Sheriff’s Office targets the sale of alcohol and Vape products to underage persons.
Since our schools and businesses have emerged from under the cloud of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, the Sheriff’s Office has received complaints from residents about the dangers of area businesses selling tobacco, Vaping, and alcoholic beverages to underage persons. The Sheriff’s Office partnered with the Warren Coalition to conduct focused enforcement of the state and county codes related to these concerns.
Two separate compliance checks were conducted on March 21st and March 23rd, 2022 where deputies from the School Resource Division coordinated the plain clothes operations with the aid of a reliable and trusted young adult. WCSO Deputies A. Ulibarri, C. Wigington, H. Molina, O. Fuentes, W. Atwood, led by Sergeant C. Burke conducted the compliance checks at twelve local businesses during the two days, with only three of the businesses passing by properly checking the customer’s state identification and disallowing the sale. These businesses were thanked for their diligence and proper adherence to the sales of products not approved for our youth.
The following businesses failed the compliance check on March 21st and sold either alcoholic beverage or THC Vape products to the underage customer, and the clerk was issued a summons.
• Linden Seven Eleven (sale of alcoholic beverage to a minor)
• Tobacco Hut Front Royal #2 (sale of Vape product to minor)
• Circle K 6th Street (sale of alcoholic beverage to a minor)
• Liberty Gas 5th Street (sale of alcoholic beverage to a minor)
The following businesses failed the compliance check on March 23rd and sold either alcoholic beverage or THC Vape products to the underage customer, and the clerk was issued a summons.
• Tobacco Hut Front Royal #1 (sale of THC Vape to a minor)
• Roy’s Express (sale of alcoholic beverage to a minor)
• BP Gas Station, South Street (sale of alcoholic beverage to a minor)
• Rivermont Grocery Store (sale of alcoholic beverage to a minor)
• 619 Market (sale of alcoholic beverage to a minor)
It is the goal of the Sheriff’s Office to conduct a balanced approach to keeping our children and young people safe through education and enforcement; however, there will be a zero-tolerance approach taken in the event of sales to underage persons.
The Sheriff’s Office will continue conducting such checks at businesses throughout the spring and summer. Major Jeffrey Driskill wishes to thank the Warren Coalition for partnering with the office and supporting these public safety initiatives in part through the JAM grant.
Approved for release on April 14, 2022: Major Jeffrey Driskill, Sr., Major