Local News

Adult Cited For Furnishing Alcohol


Feb 15, 2018

During the early morning hours of Feb 10th, Omak Police stopped a vehicle for not having a front license plate. The officer noticed that the two passengers in the car had open containers of alcohol in the vehicle. After determining that the 19-year-old driver had not been drinking, passenger 22-year-old Eliza Orrcoria admitted giving alcohol to 20-year-old Chelinda Simpson “to hold”. Both women had the alcohol beverage Twisted Tea where they were sitting.  20-year-old Simpson claimed not to be intoxicated, but the Breathalyzer she took registered a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .139.  Simpson was cited for Minor in Possession and was taken to the hospital for an evaluation.

Ms. Orrcoria claimed she didn’t do anything wrong because she didn’t buy the alcohol for Simpson, but the furnishing law doesn’t just apply to purchasing alcohol for someone under 21. According to RCW 66.44.270(1), it is unlawful for any person to sell, give, or otherwise supply liquor to any person under the age of twenty-one years or permit any person under that age to consume liquor on his or her premises or on any premises under his or her control. "Premises" includes real property, houses, buildings, and other structures, and motor vehicles and watercraft.  Orrcoria was cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor and faces a $5000 dollar fine and up to a year in jail.                               

Omak Police will continue to enforce underage drinking laws as well as furnishing laws.  Please call 911 if you witness or suspect someone is stealing alcohol, providing alcohol to minors, or a place for them to consume it.

 


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