These 12 Bradenton-area convenience stores sold alcohol to minors, sheriff says
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office cited 12 businesses in the Bradenton area for selling alcohol to underage customers during a recent underage drinking sting.
On Saturday, undercover detectives and teenage informants visited 46 businesses throughout Manatee County that sell and serve alcohol. Clerks at 12 businesses were issued notices to appear for selling alcohol to minors, the sheriff’s office said in a press release Monday morning.
Serving, selling or allowing alcohol to be served to anyone under 21 is a violation of Florida law. The second-degree misdemeanor can be penalized by up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500. It’s also a crime for a person under 21 to possess or consume alcoholic beverages. The misdemeanor offense can be punished with jail time, probation and a permanent criminal record.
Underage informants were able to buy alcohol at the following local businesses, according to the sheriff’s office:
Mobil, 6290 Lake Osprey Drive, Sarasota
Circle K, 3312 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton
7-Eleven, 2712 26th Ave. E., Bradenton
BP, 2790 Manatee Ave., Bradenton
7-Eleven, 2604 53rd Ave. W., Bradenton
Ray’s Foodmart, 5402 26th St. W., Bradenton
Manatee Avenue Market, 5104 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton
Chevron, 6724 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton
Sandra Express Mart, 7105 15th Ave. NW, Bradenton
Bradenton Beach Liquors, 4336 101st St. W., Bradenton
Marathon, 2927 Cortez Road W., Bradenton
7-Eleven, 3515 53rd Ave. W., Bradenton
The sheriff’s office says the investigation was conducted in partnership with local nonprofit Drug Free Manatee. The underage alcohol stings are carried out several times a year at random locations around Manatee County.
“You never know when we might show up and catch you in the act. It’s incredibly irresponsible with dangerous consequences,” Sheriff Rick Wells previously said about the investigations.
