4 Local Clerks Charged With Selling Alcohol to Minors

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco teamed up yesterday to remind store clerks that selling alcohol to minors is against the law.

During the countywide sting, 141 retail alcohol vendors received a visit from 18- to 19-year-old undercover administrative aides. Those that sold alcohol to the minors paid the price.

In the Bloomingdale-Riverview area, four clerks were among the 31 arrested during the March 8 sting. They are:

• Erin Lookabill, 22, at Circle K, 2820 U.S. 301 S., Riverview
• Manuel Velez, 46, at , 4322 Bell Shoals Rd.
• David Fernandez, 48, at Boyette Liquors, 11244 Boyette Rd
• Darrell Ho-Koon, 37, at Chevron, 13202 Big Bend Rd., Riverview.

All of those arrested were issued a notice to appear in court and were released at the scene, sheriff’s office officials say.

The crackdown was planned to raise awareness about underage drinking as Spring Break 2012 gets under way, the sheriff’s office said in a media release. Deputies will continue to spot check stores throughout the Spring Break season, the release states.