By Victor Parkins (Milan Mirror-Exchange) and Jesse Joseph (Carroll County Observer)
Milan police cited a 27-year-old Jackson man on Wednesday, Sept. 30, after an undercover operation in which he allegedly sold alcohol to an underage buyer.
Sutej Partap Singh was cited for sale of alcohol to a minor under T.C.A. 57-4-203, according to a Milan Police Department investigative report cited by the Milan Mirror-Exchange. He is scheduled to appear in Milan City Court at 9 a.m. Oct. 28.
According to the Mirror-Exchange, the investigation began after a Carroll County Sheriff’s Office investigator alerted Milan police about an alcohol-related incident involving juveniles.
The police report states that Kevin Blake Volner, 15, died and another juvenile was hospitalized for alcohol poisoning late Saturday night, Sept. 26, the newspaper reported.
Volner was a student at West Carroll High School.
The Carroll County Observer requested a copy of the incident report from the sheriff’s office on Thursday, Oct. 1, and was told the report was flagged as “not for media.” On Friday, Chief Deputy Jason Walker said the incident is under investigation.
According to the Mirror Exchange, Carroll County investigators reportedly told Milan police that the alcohol came from HillTop Wine & Spirits, before it reached the juveniles.
No one from HillTop was cited in connection with the Carroll County incident.
Milan police set up the sting operation, and according to an investigative report, officers searched the 18-year-old confidential informant and supplied $50 in recorded bills before the informant went into the store.
An officer watched the informant go in and come out with a black bag. Police said they then recovered a jar of Blue Flame Moonshine, a receipt, $4.77 in change and one unspent $20 bill.
Officers went back to the store and spoke with Singh, who said he was the owner’s son and at first denied making the sale, the report states.
Police said that when he opened the register at their request, the $20 and $10 bills on top matched the serial numbers of the informant’s bills.
Singh was given a citation to appear in court. Booking records show he was processed and released Oct. 1.
A citation is an accusation only, and Singh is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.