Store Clerks Charged In Tobacco Sales Sting

On February 22, police charged two sales clerks at two local stores with illegal sale of tobacco to a minor during a tobacco sting operation.

Local police and members of the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) joined forces and visited 20 local stores that sell tobacco products to learn where underage persons would be able to make illegal tobacco purchases. DMHAS staff provided underage undercover agents for the sting operation, police said.

State law prohibits the sale of tobacco products to people under age 18.

Police said they charged Amy Yothers, 26, of 181 Berkshire Road, who was working at the Friendly Service Station at 151 South Main Street, and also charged Jennifer Van Epps, 24, of 52 Charter Ridge Road, who was working at Stop & Save Liquors of Newtown at 228 South Main Street.

It was the first offense for each of the two clerks, police said. The infraction tickets that they received carry $200 fines, police said. Those fines may be appealed in court.

Also, the person who holds the state cigarette dealer license at each of the businesses where the violations occurred will face administrative sanctions from the state Department of Revenue Services, which issues those licenses, police said.