By Lori EhdeCharges have been filed against seven local individuals for their role in selling alcohol to minors during a compliance check of area businesses.Twenty-one Rock County businesses were secretly tested on Dec. 26 for compliance with Minnesota’s underage drinking laws.Of those, seven businesses failed to comply and now face possible penalties for selling alcohol to someone younger than 21 years old.According to information from the Rock County Sheriff’s office, the following employees were charged: oJonathon Nath at Casey's on East Main Street,oRoberta Miller at Citgo on North Highway 75,oLoretta Duffy at Luverne Lanes bowling alley,oOrvin Green at Magnolia Steak House,oJesse Johnson at Sharkee’s,oLaura Hunter at the Eagles Club andoGregory Staeffler at the Green Lantern in Hardwick.They’re charged with selling to a minor, a gross misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of a $3,000 fine, a year in jail or both.They’re scheduled to appear in Rock County District Court on Jan. 26.Two 20-year-old men from Yankton and Del Rapids, S.D., attempted purchases at all Rock County businesses with liquor licenses.The minors were volunteers from a regional anti-drug, alcohol and tobacco group.Rock and Nobles County sheriff departments assist each other with regular compliance checks, which are required by state law.The last check in Rock County was August 2002, at which time only two businesses, Ampride Pump ’N Pak and the Beaver Creek Golf Course, sold to minors.This year’s non-compliant businesses may also face civil penalties as a result of the sting. Under Luverne City Code, the stores are subject to licensing penalties that can include imposition of civil fines and suspension or revocation of liquor licenses.In a 1999 compliance check, employees at both Citgo and Casey’s (this time on South Highway 75), sold to minors.
