AG’s Office Alcohol & Tobacco Enforcement Division Says Tupelo Businesses Sold Alcohol To Minors

JACKSON, Miss. (PRESS RELEASE) – The Mississippi Attorney General’s Alcohol & Tobacco Enforcement Division in conjunction with the Tupelo Police Department recently conducted alcohol and beer compliance checks in Tupelo resulting in the issuance of five citations for selling alcohol to minors, Attorney General Jim Hood announced today.

“As both Attorney General and the father of three, I strongly believe we all have a vested interest in the fight against underage drinking,” Attorney General Hood said.  “The time to address underage drinking is before it comes into court as an alcohol-fueled assault or a car crash that takes the life of a loved one.”

Under Mississippi law, any person selling alcohol to a person younger than 21 can face a fine of up to $500, up to six months in jail, or both.

Any place of business making a sale of beer to an underage person can be fined and/or face administrative charges.

For a first offense, a retailer may be fined not less than $500 but not more than $1,000 and/or be prohibited from selling beer for three months.

For a second offense occurring within 12 months of the first offense, a retailer faces a fine of not less than $500 but not more than $1,500 and may be prohibited from selling beer for six months.

For a third offense occurring within 12 months of the first offense, a retailer faces a fine of not less than $1,000 but not more than $5,000 and may be prohibited from selling beer for one year.

“The law simply states that it is illegal in Mississippi to sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 21,” Attorney General Hood said. “At the heart of this law is the safety of our children, and we must each do our part to prevent minors’ from having access to alcohol.”

The following businesses in Tupelo received citations when checked for compliance on selling alcohol to minors:

Mugshots                                             374 E Main Street                      VIOLATION

Rita’s Grill Bar                                       789 Moncrief Building 1             VIOLATION

Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse                 1044 Commonwealth Blvd          VIOLATION

Chili’s Grill and Bar                                3196 N Gloster Street                VIOLATION

Fast Lane 1                                           3914 N Gloster Street                2 VIOLATIONS              2nd Offense w/in a year    

The following businesses in Tupelo did not receive a citation when checked for compliance on selling alcohol to minors:

Blue Canoe                               2006 N Gloster Street

Fairpark Grill                             343 E Main Street

Outback Steakhouse                 1348 N Gloster Street

Stables Downtown Grill              206 N Spring Street

“We appreciate the good working relationship we have with the Attorney General’s Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement Unit and will continue to combat underage drinking and the selling of alcohol to minors in Tupelo,” Tupelo Police Chief Bart Aguirre said.  “I encourage our retailers to obey the law and always check IDs as we continue to do everything we can to try and keep alcohol out of the hands of our kids.”

During the past fiscal year, the Attorney General’s Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement Unit has conducted more than 6,677 alcohol compliance checks with 208 buys for a 3.12% buy rate across the state.