Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office checked nine Lakeland convenience stores for illegal alcohol sales on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, and it resulted in two sales clerks being arrested.

The checks were a part of the ongoing Operation Pop Top campaign in which deputies are assisted by a high school student who attempts to purchase an alcoholic beverage. 

State law prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages to anyone under 21-years of age.

On Tuesday, the deputies were assisted by an 18-year old student who is also a member of the PCSO's Cadet 1000 program for students interested in a law enforcement career.

"I don't see the two arrests as being successful. That just shows that not everyone is abiding by the state law. When every store and clerk is checking IDs and refusing to sell to patrons under 21, that is when it is a success... and we're going to continue to work toward that." - Grady Judd, Sheriff.

Arrested were:
Estefany Ferrera Martinez, 32, a sales clerk at the Circkle K store at 3025 Kathleen Road.

Julian Aquinaga, 42, sales clerk at the Circle K store at 8324 US 98 North.

Both were charged with Selling an Alcoholic Beverage to a Person under 21 Years of Age (M2).