An undercover operation jointly conducted over a two-week period by the DeKalb County Sheriff's Department and the Smithville and Alexandria Police Departments reportedly resulted in the citation of clerks or store owners or employees at four local beer retailers for selling alcohol to minors.
Langed Bassem Nabil Samir, 25, of Alexandria, owner of the Alexandria Discount Beer and Tobacco store, 32-year-old Jennifer Sims of McMinnville, an employee of the Tobacco Discount Store on West Broad Street in Smithville; 56-year-old Allison Ferguson, an employee of Mapco Express on East Broad Street in Smithville, and 42 year old Areceli Soto Godinez of Smithville, owner of Nicole’s Market on Short Mountain Highway, were cited for the illegal sale of alcohol to a minor under 21 years of age.
Alexandria Police Chief Mark Collins said an undercover minor was able to buy beer at only one store in his town.
"On Sept. 22 an undercover operative, who was under 21 years of age, entered and attempted to illegally purchase beer within the city limits of Alexandria," the Alexandria chief said. "The operative was denied beer purchases from C&C Market and the Alexandria Dollar Store, but an illegal purchase of beer was made from Alexandria Discount Beer and Tobacco on Nashville Highway. The store owner, 25-year-old Langed Bassem Nabil Samir was cited for illegal sale of alcohol to a minor under 21 years of age."
Smithville Police Lieutenant Matt Holmes said the same minor was employed to test businesses in Smithville.
"On September 23, the same undercover operative attempted to illegally purchase alcohol from all businesses who are licensed to sell beer and/or liquor within the city limits of Smithville. All but two businesses refused to sell beer to the operative. An illegal purchase of beer was made from the Tobacco Discount Store on West Broad Street. An employee of the store, 32-year-old Jennifer Sims, was cited for the illegal sale of alcohol to a minor under 21 years of age," Holmes said.
"An illegal purchase of beer was also made from the Mapco Express Store on East Broad Street. 56 year old Allison Ferguson of Hurricane Ridge Road Smithville, a store clerk was cited for the illegal sale of alcohol to a minor under 21 years of age," Holmes concluded.
DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department Detective Jeremy Taylor said only one county business sold to the underage agent.
"On September 28, the same undercover operative attempted to purchase beer from numerous businesses within the county. An illegal beer purchase was made from the owner of Nicole’s Market on Short Mountain Highway. 42 year old Areceli Soto Godinez was cited for the illegal sale of alcohol to a minor under 21 years of age," Taylor said.
The four are set to appear in General Sessions Court on Oct. 29. If they are found guilty of selling to minors, the businesses could face fines, as well as the potential loss of their beer licenses.
Authorities wish to thank all of the businesses who followed the law during this investigation.
