Arrests made for serving alcohol to underage customers

On July 7, the Niagara County Sheriff's Office, State Police, the Lockport, Niagara Falls and North Tonawanda police departments, and the State Liquor Authority conducted an underage alcohol enforcement detail throughout Niagara County.

During this detail, 27 bars were checked with underage operatives. Twenty-two stores successfully denied the underage operatives alcohol and five allowed the operatives to purchase alcohol.

Arrested during this detail were Kristen R. Aughtman, 36, of Newfane, an employee of the Newfane Depot on Maple Street, Newfane; Renee M Peterson, 27, of Niagara Falls, an employee of Honeys on Military Road in the Town of Niagara; Ryan P. Bimont, 23, of Lewiston, employed by Lewiston Village Pub on Center Street, Lewiston; Samantha R. Schleicher, 20, of North Tonawanda, employed by Westby's Pub on Niagara Falls Boulevard in Wheatfield; and Barbara Prato, 52, of Niagara Falls, employed by Lou's Lounge on Cayuga Drive in Niagara Falls. All were charged with unlawfully dealing with a child first degree and prohibited sales, which are both misdemeanors.