Sugar Grove makes arrest, looks to end teen drinking

Sugar Grove police made their first arrest Thursday as part of a new liquor and tobacco compliance program designed to curtail underage drinking. The program targets adults who buy for minors.

Miguel A. Selgado, 35, of the 2900 block of North Street in East Troy, Wis. was arrested and charged with the unlawful delivery of alcohol to a minor, according to Investigative Officer John Sizer.

Selgado was arrested after police placed an underage employee outside a liquor store on Main Street. The agent approached customers and asked them to purchase a 12-pack of beer. Selgado agreed to make the purchase and was taken into custody after he turned the 12-pack over to the agent.

According to Sizer, Selgado has no prior arrest record and was released and fined $60 according to village ordinance. He will be allowed to mail in his fine.

Officers followed the same procedure at other establishments in town without additional arrests.

In 2007, 47 minors were charged with illegal consumption of alcohol and two minors were charged with possession. There were only 19 such charges (consumption or possession) in 2006.

"It's the first time we're going after adults purchasing liquor for minors," Sizer said. "Last year we had so many underage drinking parties. We've had any number of incidences when we've gone in and tried to find the sources of the liquor. We found out that minors often go and find an adult to buy it for them.

"Graduation is approaching and we're getting near party season," Sizer added. "We will increase our efforts to try and stop this stuff before it becomes the disaster we had last year."

Sizer was referring to an Aug. 4 car crash near Dugan and Scott roads in Sugar Grove Township that took the lives of two Batavia men.

Police said the men and the driver of the car, who survived, had been to a party in Sugar Grove where there was underage drinking, although the driver and the men who died were of legal age.

Sizer said minors arrested for alcohol consumption or possession can be charged under state law or local ordinances.