GREENPORT–Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies charged eight people during an underage alcohol sales check around the county June 4.
Charged were:
*Stephen D. Choinsky, 28, of Germantown, employed by Blues Stores Xtra Mart, Livingston
*Kimberly VanAllen, 37, of Hudson, employed by Cumberland Farms, Columbiaville
*Gurdeep S. Kang, 43, of Schenectady, employed by Cobble Pond Farm, Niverville
*Xu Zhao, 31, of Canton, Michigan, employed by Spring Garden Restaurant, Greenport
*Linda Bathrick, 46, of Athens, employed by Rite-Aid Pharmacy, Greenport
*Mahmood A. Malik, 54, of Hudson, employed by Germantown Sunoco
*Kevin S. Herber, 24, of Hudson, employed by Hess, Fairview Avenue, Greenport
*Matthew G. Liebel, 21, of Kingston, employed by Stewart’s, Germantown.
Each of the above was charged with first degree unlawfully dealing with a child and prohibited sale of an alcoholic beverage, both class A misdemeanors, according to a press release from Columbia County Sheriff David Harrison Jr.
The eight individuals allegedly sold an alcoholic beverage to a 19-year-old customer during the detail conducted by members of the Sheriff’s Office Drug Education and Enforcement Unit.
In all, 19 businesses in Germantown, Livingston, Greenport, Claverack, Taghkanic, Ghent, Kinderhook, Valatie and Stockport were checked during the investigation. Sales clerks in 11 other stores did not sell to the minor.
All those charged were released with tickets to appear in their respective courts at later dates.
Livingston
Christopher Rivers, 39, of Livingston was charged with criminal possession of stolen property by Sheriff’s Office Investigators Anthony Brahm and Mark Dunspaugh, June 10 at 10:31 a.m.
Mr. Rivers allegedly had a Scott Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) bottle, belonging to the Livingston Fire District. The bottle had been reported stolen.
Mr. Rivers was released with a ticket directing him to appear in Livingston Court at a later date.
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@ColumbiaPaper.com.
