Underage Tobacco-Lottery Ticket Campaign

On April 27, 2006, Detective Brandon Davies of the Benson Police Department conducted an Underage Tobacco and Lottery Ticket Sales Campaign in the Town of Benson. A total of twelve (12) businesses were visited by a 17-year-old female volunteer, and she attempted to purchase Cigarettes at all the locations, and Lottery Tickets from the establishments that sold them. At the conclusion of the campaign, she had made successful purchases at four (4) of the businesses.

One store clerk at Carlie C's IGA was charged with Sale of Tobacco Products to an Underage Person, one store clerk at Southern Woods and Water was charged with Sale of Tobacco Products to an Underage Person and Sale of a Lottery Ticket to an Underage Person, one store clerk at Mobil Gas Station was charged with Sale of Tobacco Products to an Underage Person and Sale of a Lottery Ticket to an Underage Person, and the store owner of Blackmon's Grocery was charged with Sale of Tobacco Products to an Underage Person, Sale of a Lottery Ticket to an Underage Person, and Resisting-Delaying-Obstructing a Law Enforcement Officer.

All persons charged were issued citations, with a court date of 6-16-2006 in Benson District Court. Their names, ages, and employers are listed below:

Evelyn McNeil

Randy Norris

Kellie Campbell

Nathan Blackmon

B/F-45

W/M-44

W/F-26

W/M-69

Carlie C's IGA

Southern Woods and Water

Mobil Gas Station

Blackmon's Grocery

South Wall Street

Hwy. 242 North

Main and Lee Street

Hwy. 50 South

Detective Davies stated, "Three of the four persons who were cited actually looked at the volunteer's license, but sold the items anyway. The other person did not ask for any identification at all." Chief Kenneth Edwards added, "We conduct an operation of this type at least once a year, as a means of protecting the youth of our community. This time we also notified the NC Lottery Commission of our plans, and had their full support and encouragement."

Chief Edwards also stated, "My hope was that no business or employee would sell a restricted product to an underage person, but unfortunately, that was not the case. We will therefore continue to conduct these operations, until we reach that goal."

Chief Edwards would like to recognize the businesses that complied with the law, and followed proper procedures. These businesses were:

For any additional information regarding this campaign, please contact Chief Kenneth Edwards at 919-894-2091.

*Country Mart*	*Pat's Grocery*	*BP Station*	*Food Lion*	*Citgo Station*	*T-Mart Express*	*Corner Service Center*	*Phillip's 66 Station*
*Hwy. 301 and Hwy. 242*	*Hwy. 301 South*	*Hwy. 50 South and Hwy. 242*	*Hwy. 242 South*	*Hwy. 50 South*	*Main and Wall Street*	*South Wall and Parrish Drive*	*Fayetteville and Church Street*

*Evelyn McNeil*	*Randy Norris*	*Kellie Campbell*	*Nathan Blackmon*
*B/F-45*	*W/M-44*	*W/F-26*	*W/M-69*
*Carlie C's IGA*	*Southern Woods and Water*	*Mobil Gas Station*	*Blackmon's Grocery*
*South Wall Street*	*Hwy. 242 North*	*Main and Lee Street*	*Hwy. 50 South*