TRENTON
– An underage bar patron was arrested
after assaulting a Division of Alcoholic Beverage
Control detective early morning last Friday
during an enforcement sweep throughout Bergen
County.
Victoria
Gorham, 19, of Mahwah, allegedly kicked
and punched ABC Detective Tammy Siano after
trying to flee questioning at The Mason
Jar in Ramapo. Gorham was placed under arrest
and charged with aggravated assault on a
police officer and underage drinking. Detective
Siano did not require medical attention
at the scene, but did sustain some bruising
on her legs.
ABC
detectives observed Gorham and Michael Hauk,
19, of Mahwah, being served by bartenders
without being asked for identification.
Hauk was also charged with underage drinking
and the two bartenders, Kenneth Piece, 50,
of Suffern, New York, and Aubrielle Guimarra,
20, of Hewitt, were issued summonses for
sales to an underage person.
“Underage
drinking is a serious matter and our enforcement
actions prove that there will be serious
consequences for both consuming underage
and selling alcohol to those underage,”
Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control Director
Michael Halfacre said.
The
charge of selling alcohol to underage patrons
is a disorderly persons offense which carries
penalties including a fine of at least $500.
Underage drinking is also a disorderly persons
offense, carrying a potential fine of at
least $500 and a six-month driver’s
license suspension.
The
liquor licenses of establishments involved
in last week’s enforcement efforts
will be reviewed by ABC for possible administrative
charges. Those charges could result in the
suspension of the bar’s alcoholic
beverage license.
Director
Halfacre said the ABC conducts undercover
enforcement operations throughout New Jersey
and its detectives have full police powers.
The Division is the only statewide agency
that exclusively enforces the Alcoholic
Beverage Control laws.
Other
charges brought by last week’s sweep
include: