Eight individuals employed with local Martin businesses were cited with the Unlawful Sale of Alcoholic Beverages on Tuesday, May 6.
The citations were issued after the Martin Police Department and the Alcohol Beverage Commission conducted a random undercover alcohol compliance operation on 28 area businesses, according to a press release issued by the Martin Police Department.
Chin H. Day, Marcus Latra Easley, Michelle L. Fields, Sandip Gama Modi, Raymond C. Petty, Brittany E. Prather, Ruby R. Tackett and Delina K. Tiltman were all arraigned in Weakley County General Sessions court on Thursday, May 9 and are scheduled to appear in court again on June 4.
The businesses involved include Cilantro’s, Dollar General Store on Regina Street, Hunan Palace, Opera House, Pizza Hut, Sudden Service, Tobacco Barn and the 22 Club, according to the press release.
“It was an honest mistake. The girl looked at the year [on the license] and thought ‘Oh yeah, you’re good.’ She just didn’t think to look at the month and date,” said Lacy Goodman, a Hunan Palace Employee. “We will definitely, definitely check more carefully, from now on.”
Managers at both Pizza Hut and Dollar General declined to comment. Cilantro’s, Opera House and the Tobacco Barn could not be reached at this time for comment.
“The individuals that made the sales were cited on the spot and are responsible for appearing in court. The business owners will appear before the beer board, which meets periodically,” said MPD Capt. Don Teal. “The operations are conducted periodically and run by the Criminal Investigations Team. The team decides who will act as the informant.”
