4 accused of selling tobacco to undercover minor

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published December 23, 2000

LARGO -- Police charged four store clerks Thursday with selling tobacco to a minor, and officers plan to look for violators during the holiday weekend. Largo detectives sent a 15-year-old investigative aide into local stores Thursday.

Four store clerks sold tobacco to the minor, said Sgt. Andy Hill. The clerks were charged with a criminal violation and were given a notice to appear in court; they could face a maximum of 60 days in jail. Those charged were: Jimmy Ray Jarvis, 20, who works at the Hess gas station, 13987 Walsingham Road; Shahnaz Nooruddin, 36, who works at the Hi and Bye, 13717 Walsingham Road; Jonella Ierna, 44, who works at the Eckerd Drugs, 13998 Walsingham Road; and Moh'd Mah'd Halaweh, 39, who works at the Quik Trip, 1787 Indian Rocks Road.

Hill said police will forward information to the state division of alcohol and tobacco, which could reprimand the businesses. He said about 90 percent of businesses tested by the investigative aide didn't sell to the minor.

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