NORTH VERNON, Ind. – Jennings County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) School Resource Officer Matt Miller was recently contacted by Jennings County School administrators and parents about gas stations allegedly selling vapes and electronic cigarettes to Middle and High School students.
Several reports have been made about local students being caught with vapes in schools, leading to disciplinary action for the students.
Deputy Miller organized a sting operation where an underage individual attempted to purchase tobacco products from every gas station in Jennings County. Six businesses reportedly sold tobacco to undercover officers.
The individuals who sold tobacco to the youth were cited for Furnishing Tobacco to a Minor. JCSO partnered with Indiana State Excise Police to also cite each business in Excise court, where they face a three-day suspension of their Tobacco resale licenses.
Jennings County Sheriff Kenny Freeman stated, “We want to promote local businesses, however, we must stop the distribution of tobacco to the youth of Jennings County. It was very alarming to find that children as young as middle schoolers were being sold tobacco products.”
The following establishments allegedly sold tobacco in violation of the law:
- Country Mark Fuel Center
- Sunoco (two different tellers sold to the individual)
- Crystal Flash
- Vernon Smoke Shop
- H&H Smoke Shop
- Marathon Fuel Center
