BURLINGTON — A retail store sting over the weekend, prompted by citizen complaints about teen drinking, led to charges against 12 people for liquor sales violations.

        The Boone County Sheriff's Department asked a 17-year-old youth, accompanied by two plainclothes deputies, to try to buy alcohol at 20 businesses Saturday.

        Officers filed charges of selling alcohol to a minor against 11 people, and charged 18-year-old Nathan M. Barnes with not being old enough to sell alcohol unsupervised at the Ameristop store at U.S. 42 and Frogtown Road in Union.

        “We do these undercover checks periodically, but we received several reports from parents and concerned citizens recently that there were a number of problem areas ... supplying alcohol to people under 21,” said Maj. Jack Banks, commander of the department's criminal investigation unit.

        “This is something we take very seriously, because underage drinking leads to auto accidents that are often fatal, and other problems such as fights and vandalism,” Maj. Banks said.

        All 12 cases will be heard in Boone District Court, probably within a month. The sheriff's office also will notify the Kentucky Alcohol Beverage Control Department.

        In addition to Mr. Barnes, those cited were:

        • Elisha R. Ferguson, Shell Gas Station, Ky. 18 and Ridge, Florence.

        • Hazel A. Link, Citgo, Mary Grubbs Highway, Walton.

        • Dan Brooks, Discount Liquor, 11237 Frontage Road, Richwood.

        • Jason Addison, Shell Gas Station, Litton Lane, Hebron.

        • Chinar Patel, Hebron Corner Mart, 2006 Petersburg Road, Hebron.

        • Jack Lucas, Fiesta Liquors, 609 Petersburg Road, Hebron.

        • Alma Farrell, Pilot, East Richwood Road, Walton.

        • David Camacho, Speedway, Ky. 18 and Commerce Drive, Florence.

        • Joseph Collett, Collett's Liquor, U.S. 42 and Ewing Boulevard, Florence.

        • Joshua Having, BP Gas Station, 7230 Turfway Road, Florence.

        • Andrew Dolan, BP Gas Station, Kilgore Place, Hebron.

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