The Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested a convenience store clerk on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, after he illegally sold alcohol to someone under 21 years of age, during an undercover "Operation Pop Top" investigation.

"These operations are carried out frequently at different locations throughout the county, to ensure that the stores and employees are compliant with state laws, by not selling alcohol to anyone under the age of 21. Those who sell alcoholic beverages illegally will be held accountable." - Grady Judd, Sheriff

The person who purchased the alcoholic beverage is a 20-year-old member of the PCSO Explorers program which consists of students who are interested in a career in law enforcement.

The Explorer visited ten stores in the Davenport area, plus Haines City and Winter Haven, and she was only successful in purchasing alcohol at one of those stores. Two other stores were visited by deputies to ensure they were compliant with Kratom sales laws.

Deputies arrested 19-year-old Edward Schulze III at the 7-Eleven store at 6205 Lake Wilson Road in Davenport and charged him with Selling Alcohol to a Person Under the Age of 21 (a misdemeanor).