Crime & Safety
After Checks, 3 Arrested For Unlawful Alcohol Sales
The Oconee County Sheriff's Office reports employees of Arbor Glen Express, Bogart Pantry, and Oconee Fast Mart allegedly sold alcohol without checking proper identification.
Updated: 2:23 p.m.
Employees of three Oconee County businesses have been charged with unlawful alcohol sales after compliance checks by the allegedly caught them selling alcohol without verifying proper identification, authorities said Wednesday.
The checks were held last week at seven businesses, Chief Deputy Lee Weems said. An underage customer went into the stores with his/her real identification and attempted to purchase alcohol, he said.
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Asif Aman, 45, an employee of Arbor Glen Express at 8851 Macon Highway, Meenaben Patel, 46, an employee of at 1311 Atlanta Highway, and Jatinkumar Patel, 40, an employee of at 1961 Hog Mountain Road were arrested and charged with unlawful alcohol sales on July 7, a news release stated.
The misdemeanor charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine, Weems said.
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As for the businesses, Oconee Administrative Officer Alan Theriault said the county is reviewing its beer and wine license ordinance.
"I don't want to speculate as to what might happen," he said. "But I feel certain that some action will be taken."
Theriault said the Sheriff's Office notified him Wednesday afternoon and it is the first time violations like these have been reported.
Employees of four other businesses --, , Golden Pantry on Hodges Mill, and Shell on Epps Bridge did not complete the sale after checking the customer's identification, he said.
The Sheriff's Office conducted the checks after receiving complaints of alcohol sales to minors, Weems said, and more checks are on the way.