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IMPORTANT NEWS...
Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Cracks Down on LaRoyale
May 5, 2008
Panama City – The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) obtained warrants for nine defendants involving 12 different charges. The charges include sale of a controlled substance, unnatural and lascivious acts, exposure of sexual organs, sale of alcoholic beverages to persons under 21, and possession of alcoholic beverages by persons under 21. ABT agents had LaRoyale, located on Harrison Avenue, Panama City Beach, under surveillance for months.
“DBPR is dedicated to maintaining the safety of our citizens and visitors in Florida’s licensed establishments,” said Interim Secretary Chuck Drago. “I thank the Bay County State Attorney’s Office for their partnership and assistance with this important enforcement action.”
ABT received an anonymous tip that lewd and lascivious behavior, narcotic activity and underage possession of alcohol were taking place at LaRoyale. ABT agents, along with investigators from the State Attorney’s Office, began an undercover investigation into the establishment. Agents were able to purchase different types of illegal drugs, observe the use of illegal drugs, and observe several accounts of lewd and lascivious behavior as well as alcoholic beverages being served to underage persons.
The Division intends to file administrative charges against the alcoholic beverage licensee. The individuals arrested in conjunction with the investigation are listed below. Two defendants have not been located.
- Michael Griffin (Patron)
Unnatural and lascivious acts
- Walter Whatley (Employee karaoke)
Sale and Delivery of a controlled substance (cocaine)
- Travis Mosley (Patron)
Possession of alcoholic beverages by a person under 21 years of age
- Jason Arthur Driver (Employee dancer)
Sale and Delivery of a controlled substance (cocaine)
- Jon Michael Schaefer (patron)
Sale and Delivery of a controlled substance (cocaine)
- Dennis Yefko (patron)
Sale and Delivery of a controlled substance (cocaine)
- James J Imbierowicz (employee bartender)
Sale and Delivery of a controlled substance (Lortab)
Sale and Delivery of a controlled substance (Xannex)
Sale and Delivery of a controlled substance (Lortab)
Sale of alcoholic beverages to a person under 21 years of age
The mission of ABT is to keep alcohol and tobacco out of the hands of underage persons, to ensure that licensed establishments are in compliance with the laws and rules regulating the industry in Florida, and to collect taxes and fees related to these industries.
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. The Department licenses more than one million businesses and professionals ranging from real estate agents, veterinarians, and accountants to contractors and cosmetologists. For more information, please visit www.MyFloridaLicense.com
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