ISP: 25 Illinois establishments caught in sting operation

EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV) — 25 establishments in Clark, Jasper, Lawrence, Richland, and Wayne counties reportedly were caught serving alcohol to minors.

Illinois State Police announced the results of a recent sting operation to determine if local stores would sell alcohol to a minor. Of the 65 establishments “surveyed” 25 were reportedly caught allowing a sale of an alcoholic beverage to someone under the legal drinking age.

ISP Criminal Investigations Zone 08 Commander Ryan Shoemaker said the operation is funded through IDOT and is about preventing fatal crashes caused by drunk drivers.

“The ultimate goals are to enforce underage drinking laws and save lives by preventing
impaired driving crashes and fatalities,” Shoemaker said. “The ISP commends establishments and their employees which do not sell alcohol to minors. This project is funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation.”

As a result of the operation, employees caught not following identification laws and selling alcohol to a minor were charged with a class A misdemeanor of Unlawful Delivery of Alcoholic Liquor to a Minor. The employees were then released on a notice to appear in court.

ISP provided the following list of establishments and employees caught in the sting operation;

“The public is reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law,” Shoemaker clarified.

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