Five people are facing serious charges after police say they sold alcohol to minors.
According to a news release from the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division, an undercover sting operation was conducted targeting businesses that sell beer and wine Friday evening.
Police say they targeted 12 convenience stores. Employees at these stores previously sold alcoholic beverages to underage minors during a similar operation in March.
Of those businesses checked, police say four clerks sold alcoholic beverages to the underage operatives. The convenience store clerks were arrested.
Detectives also checked a local nightclub. A male bartender allegedly sold an alcoholic beverage to an undercover minor. He was arrested.
The four store clerks were identified as 45-year-old Matilda Jimenez, 38-year-old Jeremiah De La Rosa, 23-year-old Eric Matson and 22-year-old Johnathan Herrera. Also, 28-year-old bartender Jordan Henley faces a charge of sale to minors.
The charge is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000.
Investigators added they will forward the results of the operation to the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission.
The information could result in administrative action against the permittees, which could include revocation, suspension or fine.
Deputy Chief Todd Green of the Corpus Christi police department, said, “Hopefully this operation (will) send a clear message to the owners of these businesses.”
The Corpus Christi Police Department said they will work with TABC and the Nueces County District Attorney’s Office on these operations.
