Lee business owner charged with 3 offenses after reportedly selling alcohol without license

A Lee County business owner was arrested and charged with three offenses of South Carolina law after an undercover law enforcement officer who visited the business bought liquor from the owner, who didn't possess a license to sell alcohol.

During the execution of a search warrant, the undercover law enforcement officer was at S&K Lounge at 842 Hwy. 15 North in Bishopville on Thursday, April 23, and bought a  liquor beverage from the owner, Geniki Burton Thomas, 49, according to a news release and warrants from South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. The officer had an audio and visual recording device during the purchase.

SLED charged Thomas with unlawful sale, manufacture etc. of alcoholic liquors, first offense, failure to secure required beer or wine sale permit, and unlawful storage or possession of alcoholic liquors in a place of business, first offense, on Thursday, April 23.

Thomas was booked into Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center.

The case will be prosecuted by the Third Circuit Solicitor’s Office.