UTICA, NY — New York State Police conducted an underage drinking initiative in Oneida County on March 13, 2026, resulting in three arrests.
Ten businesses were found in compliance with laws prohibiting the sale of alcohol to persons under 21 years of age.
Those locations included Lichtman’s Wine and Liquor in Utica, Price Chopper in Utica, Walgreens in Utica, Byrne Dairy in Utica, Fastrac in Utica, Speedway in Utica, Rock’s Liquors in Yorkville, Aldi in Yorkville, Kinny Drugs in Whitesboro and Dollar General in Whitesboro.
Three businesses were found not in compliance.
Hadis Ferhatovic, 26, of Utica, was arrested at Aldi, 121 Herkimer Road in Utica, and charged with unlawfully dealing with a child in the first degree and prohibitive sale of alcohol to a person under 21 years old, both class A misdemeanors.
Gwyneth R. Roberts, 23, of Utica, was arrested at Speedway, 826 Oriskany Blvd. in Yorkville, and charged with unlawfully dealing with a child in the first degree and prohibitive sale of alcohol to a person under 21 years old, both class A misdemeanors.
Christine M. Larocco, 79, of New Hartford, was arrested at Colonial Liquor, 131 Oriskany Blvd. Suite 4 in Whitesboro, and charged with unlawfully dealing with a child in the first degree and prohibitive sale of alcohol to a person under 21 years old, both class A misdemeanors.
During the investigations, businesses were checked using a trooper in plainclothes and one or several underage operatives who cannot lie about their age or provide a false date of birth.
