Underage Drinking Sting At El Paso Concert Yields Arrests

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Strike Team conducted an operation over the weekend to find those that sell, furnish, or provide alcohol to minors.

Deputies used volunteer minors, who were 17 years of age, to attempt to purchase alcohol at locations licensed to sell alcoholic beverages.

During the operation, Deputies checked a total of 12 establishments. Out of the 12, 11 were in compliance and requested identification from the minor. After learning the true age of the volunteer, the sale of the alcoholic beverage was denied to the minor.

One location / event found not to be in compliance was at the El Paso County Coliseum, according to sheriff’s officials. County Coliseum Management did have knowledge of the sting operation prior to the event and they fully cooperated and assisted the Sheriff?s Office.

All persons arrested are not El Paso County employees and are employed by a private vendor.

During a concert event Saturday night, deputies embedded several 17 year old volunteers into the attending crowd. As a result, several arrests were made for providing/selling/furnishing alcohol to minors. During the operation Deputies followed the minor(s) and observed contacts with several mobile vendors inside the coliseum. During those contacts Deputies witnessed transactions where the minor was able to purchase a 16 ounce can of beer and never be asked for proper identification or asked about age. The minor was also sold alcohol at a concession stand. In all the sales no identification was ever requested and no one asked the minor for his true age.

RESULTS OF THE OPERATION: -Three Individuals were transported to area Hospitals for alcohol / intoxication related issues -Six individuals were cited for alcohol related offenses -Eight individuals were turned over to parents -Six staff employees ? mobile beer vendors (hired by private vendor) were arrested.

ARRESTED: RICARDO VASQUEZ, 39, PURCHASE / FURNISH ALCOHOL TO A MINOR- $500 BOND

JIMMY LAURIANO, 29, PURCHASE / FURNISH ALCOHOL TO A MINOR- $500 BOND

PEDRO GARCIA, 27, PURCHASE / FURNISH ALCOHOL TO A MINOR- $500 BOND

JOSE ROBLES, 54, PURCHASE / FURNISH ALCOHOL TO A MINOR- $500 BOND

JAVIER MELENDEZ, 45, PURCHASE / FURNISH ALCOHOL TO A MINOR- $500 BOND

MARISOL RODRIGUEZ, 38, PURCHASE / FURNISH ALCOHOL TO A MINOR- $500 BOND