IMPORTANT NEWS...
Three People Charged in Local Bar Sting
October 31, 2007
Tallahassee, FL—The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s (DBPR) Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) issued violations to three Chubby’s Bar employees for providing alcoholic beverages to a minor. The arrests were made as part of the “ICARE” program which is designed to reduce alcohol abuse in Florida’s underage population by tracing the source of the illegally obtained alcohol.
“We want to protect kids from the consequences of underage drinking, and it is so important for all of us to work together to keep kids safe,” Secretary Holly Benson said. “The ICARE program is essential for ensuring that there are consequences for those who serve minors.”
The investigation began when 19 year old Edgar C. Vanderwerff II crashed his vehicle on June 21, 2007. His blood alcohol content was .21 or over two times the legal limit. Investigators determined that prior to the crash Vanderwerff was customer at Chubby’s Bar located at 1833 West Tennessee St.
As a result of the incident, ABT agents conducted a follow-up investigation and sent an underage person into the bar to attempt to purchase alcohol. The bar allowed entry and served alcohol to the underage person. ABT agents charged three employees, Sean Moneypenny, Natalie Inman and Samuel Rifkin with misdemeanor violations of Florida Statute 562.11, selling, giving, or furnishing alcoholic beverages to a person under 21 years of age.
The primary goal of the ICARE program is to reduce alcohol abuse in Florida’s underage population. The ICARE program partners ABT agents with state and local law enforcement as they investigate alcohol-related incidents. When any type of alcohol-related accident results in the fatality of a minor, ABT agents track the source of the illegally sold or provided alcohol involved. Once the source is identified, ABT will then take appropriate criminal and administrative action against the individual and/or the beverage license.
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Alcohol Beverages and Tobacco division attempts to keep alcohol and tobacco out of the hands of minors by insuring that all licensed establishments are in compliance with laws and rules regulating the industry, and collects taxes and fees related to these industries.
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates nearly 1,000,000 of Florida’s businesses and professionals.
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