IMPORTANT NEWS...
Lantana Man Arrested for Possession of Moonshine Still
January 11, 2013
TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) today announced the arrest of a Lantana man for distilling and selling moonshine. Daniel David Pawa was arrested after state agents purchased moonshine that Pawa distilled at his Lantana residence.
Over the course of a three-month investigation, agents purchased more than 40 gallons of moonshine from Pawa. After conducting the final undercover purchase, agents with the Department’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) arrested Pawa in West Palm Beach and seized a .45 caliber firearm in his possession. Agents then executed a search warrant at his residence and seized a moonshine still, liquor bottles, a hydrometer, mason jars and other miscellaneous items from Pawa’s residence.
Pawa, 23, has been charged with the following:
- Possession of a firearm, violation of F.S.S. 775.087, a felony of the second degree punishable by up to 15 years of imprisonment and/or up to a $10,000 fine;
- Possession of moonshine over one (1) gallon, violation of F.S.S. 562.451, a felony of the third degree punishable by up to five years imprisonment and/or up to a $5,000 fine;
- Conspiracy to Violate Beverage Law, violation of F.S.S. 562.23, a Felony of the third degree punishable by up to five years imprisonment and/or up to a $5,000 fine;
- Possession of containers intended to be used to package alcoholic beverages, violation of F.S.S. 562.34, a felony of the third degree punishable by up to five years imprisonment and/or up to a $5,000 fine; and
- Concealing Beverages, violation of F.S.S. 562.32 a felony of the third degree punishable by up to five years imprisonment and/or a $5,000 fine.
Additional charges are pending.
The two remaining suspects have also been arrested as of this afternoon. Their names and charges are as follows:
Michael Ryan Inman, 26, charged with four counts of violation of F.S.S. 562.451(2) production/possession of moonshine; one count of violation of F.S.S. 562.23 conspiracy to violate beverage law; four counts of violation of F.S.S. 562.34(3), transportation of containers intended to be used to package alcoholic beverages; and four counts of violation of F.S.S. 562.32, moving or concealing beverages with intent to defraud state tax.
Amanda Marie Pouncey, 26, is charged with one count of violation of F.S.S. 562.451(2) production/possession of moonshine; one count of violation of F.S.S. 562.23 conspiracy to violate beverage law; one count of violation of F.S.S. 562.34(3) transportation of containers intended to be used to package alcoholic beverages; and one count of violation of F.S.S. 562.32 moving or concealing beverages with intent to defraud state tax.
All charges for the additional two defendants are third degree felonies and are each punishable by up to five years imprisonment and/or up to a $5,000 fine. All three defendants were booked in the Palm Beach County Jail.
The West Palm Beach Police Department assisted with the arrest and the Lantana Police Department helped secure the residence at the conclusion of the search warrant. The Palm Beach Sheriff Office’s Bomb Squad responded to secure a grenade discovered during the search warrant.
The Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco is charged with keeping alcohol and tobacco out of the hands of underage persons, ensuring that licensed establishments are in compliance with the laws and rules regulating the industry in Florida and collecting taxes and fees related to these industries.
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. The Department licenses and regulates more than one million businesses and professionals ranging from hotels and restaurants, real estate agents and certified public accountants to veterinarians, contractors and cosmetologists. For more information, please visit www.MyFloridaLicense.com.
More information about DBPR is available online at www.myfloridalicense.com. Also, follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter or Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on Facebook for updates about license cycles, events and other important news.