Police make moonshine arrest
Published 11:08 pm Friday, September 14, 2012
Agents arrested a North Carolina man in Suffolk on Friday on charges of selling, possessing and transporting moonshine.
Claude L. Parker, 59, of Hudson Park Lane in Gates County, was charged with four counts of selling untaxed liquor, four counts for the possession of untaxed liquor and three counts for transporting more than three gallons of liquor across a state line.
The arrest by Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control agents happened on Old South Quay Road, where Parker allegedly was selling the moonshine, according to a press release from ABC.
Suffolk Police Department assisted in the arrest. The three-month investigation was conducted by Virginia ABC and North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement.
“The undercover investigation began three months ago based on complaints of someone was selling illegal liquor to residents,” said Robert M. Brooks, Special Agent in Charge of ABC’s Hampton Regional Office. “ABC undercover operatives purchased moonshine from Parker on several occasions leading up to the arrest. The moonshine sold for $55 per gallon.”
About 24 gallons of moonshine were seized, as well as the 1990 Chevrolet pickup truck Parker was driving.
All charges are class one misdemeanors punishable by up to a year in jail, a $2,500 fine, or both, per charge.
Agents do not believe Parker manufactured the moonshine, according to the release. An investigation into the source is continuing.
After being charged, Parker was released on personal recognizance and will appear in Suffolk General District Court.