On Monday, September 30, 2019, deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested two convenience store clerks after they sold alcohol to a minor. The minor is in the PCSO Explorer program, which is an organization for high school students who are interested in law enforcement.

Arrested in the latest round of compliance checks, were 48-year-old Joshi Philip, a clerk at Citgo (1193 E. Main St. in Bartow), and 19-year-old Alyssa Matthews, a clerk at Sunoco (1385 N. Broadway Ave. in Bartow). 

“We are going to hold store employees accountable for selling alcohol to those under 21 years old. It’s their responsibility to check ID’s at all times. The stores and employees found in compliance did a great job following the law. We congratulate them.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Four other stores were visited and the clerks at those stores refused to sell alcohol to the minor. The four stores found to be compliant with Florida’s alcohol beverage sales law were:

• Circle K – 2175 East 540, Lakeland
• 7-Eleven – 6175 S. US 98, Lakeland
• RaceTrac – 1690 N. Broadway Ave, Bartow
• Circle K – 310 W Main St, Bartow