Man arrested for bootlegging from home for his 2nd time

Officers confiscated beer and liquor at the home of Vernon Earl Roberts, 904 Simms St., Jacksonville in a raid on Jan. 11.

A Jacksonville man has been arrested and charged with possession of alcoholic beverage in a dry area. Vernon Earl Roberts is being held in the Cherokee County jail in lieu of posting a $750 bond. He was arraigned Jan. 11 before Justice of the Peace Vera Foreman, Pct. 4.

Officers confiscated 259 12-ounce bottles of beer and 34 bottles of liquor at Mr. Roberts' residence at 904 Simms St. in Jacksonville. The beverages were turned over to investigators of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for destruction.

State law says that no person can sell, store or possess with intent to sell alcoholic beverages in a dry area. Possession of more than one quart of liquor or 24 12-ounce beers or the equivalent amount is considered an intent to sell.

The county sheriff's department received information from local residents that Mr. Roberts, a 66-year-old African-American, had been selling alcohol from his home for some time. Previously, he had been arrested in November 2006 for possession of alcoholic beverages in a dry area. At that time officers confiscated 378 12-ounce beers and 32 bottles of liquor.

Sheriff James Campbell asks that all residents call his office if they have information of any on-going criminal act.

All callers may remain anonymous.