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Library : Newspaper Articles Local man charged for buying large quantities of alcohol for minors John Sucansky - Staff Writer Lakeville/Farmington This Week A recent proactive step taken by the Lakeville Police Department has removed a large amount of alcohol from the hands of juveniles and prevented one individual from procuring more liquor for minors. Jason Gregory Craig, 25, of Lakeville, was arrested and held in the Dakota County Jail Sept. 7 for procuring alcohol for minors. Craig was formally charged in Dakota County District Court Sept. 10 and could face up to a year in jail and/or a $3,000 fine if convicted of this gross misdemeanor. Craig was suspected of purchasing alcohol for underage individuals on several occasions, according to the Lakeville Police Department. Officers set up a surveillance of Craig during which he was allegedly observed entering a liquor store in Rosemount and purchasing large amounts of alcohol. Police stated that Craig then placed the alcohol in a vehicle with underage persons and no adults. He later allegedly transferred the alcohol into another vehicle in a parking lot in Lakeville. Officers made separate stops of both Craig's vehicle and the vehicle with the alcohol in it that was driven by juveniles, according to police. Lakeville Police Chief Dave Martens said not only did his department take this case seriously in pursuing the suspect, but "the bench considers this a serious situation." Martens said Craig was held without bail. "You can get bail for murder," said Martens, comparing how serious this situation was perceived at the judicial level in Dakota County. "This was a significant arrest. This individual was buying for a lot of people," said Lt. Tom Vonhof of the Lakeville Police Department. The seized alcohol filled the back seat of a police sport utility vehicle. Vonhof said this proactive approach was able to prevent any of that alcohol from being consumed by minors. The Lakeville department has focused on the question of how kids come into possession of alcohol, and the method of an older acquaintance procuring it for them would be necessary because of the strict regulation within the municipally-operated stores in Lakeville. Vonhof said, based on information the police have received from area youth, drinking does occur and this is the way purchases are make. Investigators began to pursue individuals identified as regular buyers of alcohol for juveniles based on tips from the public. Craig is believed by the Lakeville Police Department to have made multiple purchases in the past for area youth. Martens said the influence of alcohol on area crime and deaths should be more of a concern for the public. "In the past year we have had one violent crime resulting in a death, but we have had five deaths from car accidents," he said. A majority of assaults and domestics within the city are alcohol related, according to Vonhof. Both Martens and Vonhof said they believe this proactive approach will lead to less alcohol consumption by area youth. Martens said he wants parents to recognize the seriousness of juvenile alcohol possession. He said the police will continue to aggressively pursue this issue, especially in light of the possible change in law at the state level, which would allow grocery stores to sell alcohol. Martens said the change almost passed during the last legislative session and that if it were to pass during the next, it would make it increasingly difficult for stores and police to prevent juveniles from purchasing alcohol. (SMART Website Editor's Note: Lakeville Liquor manager Brenda Visnovec indicated store employees worked closely with the police department for approximately one year in gathering information for this case. This constant focus on alcohol "control" is an important part of retail liquor operations - and an unlikely grocery store activity, should they be allowed to sell wine, beer and spirits.) << back to newspaper index |