Location: Porterville, Goshen and Orosi areas

Posted by: Media Relations

TCSO Deputies Crack Down On Tobacco Sales 

During the month of June, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office conducted multiple shoulder tap operations in the Porterville, Goshen, and Orosi areas.  

This operation targeted adults who purchase tobacco and/or tobacco products for people under the age of 21.  

During this operation, Deputies cited multiple people for furnishing tobacco to minors.  ( See below)

They also arrested and booked the two people on the listed charges below.

Suspects:
19-07011 (S): Perez-Acosta, Ruben 71 years old.  He was cited at the scene.
Charges: 308 (a) (1) (A) PC: Furnishing tobacco to someone under 21 years of age.  
 
19-07016 (S): Flores, Everardo 42 years old.  He was cited at scene.  
Charges: 308 (a) (1) (A) PC: Furnishing tobacco to someone under 21 years of age.
 
19-07020 (S): Gutierrez, Felix 55 years old. He was cited at scene.
Charges: 308 (a) (1)(A) PC: Furnishing tobacco to someone under 21 years of age.  
 
19-07022 (S): Gonzalez, Jose 59 years old.  He was cited at scene.
Charges: 308 (a) (1) (A) PC: Furnishing tobacco to someone under 21 years of age.
 
19-07292 (S): Pasillas, Hector 30 years old. He was cited at scene.
Charges: 308 (a) (1) (A) PC: Furnishing tobacco to someone under 21 years of age.
 
19-07333 (S): Avila, Bobby 26 years old.  He was arrested and booked at APTF.
25850 PC: Carrying a stolen firearm, 22910 PC: Modified gun serial number, 496 PC: Possession to stolen property.
 
19-07859 (S): Lopez, Paulino 21 years old. He was cited at scene.
Charges: 308 (a) (1) (A) PC: Furnishing tobacco to someone under 21 years of age.
 
19-07863 (S): Lupian, Christian 23 years old.  He was cited at scene.
Charges: 308 (a) (1) (A) PC: Furnishing tobacco to someone under 21 years of age.
 
19-07867 (S) Pimentel, Dedicioi 27 years old. He was cited at scene.
Charges: 308 (a) (1) (A) PC: Furnishing tobacco to someone under 21 years of age.
 
19-07898 (S) Urbina, Anthony 21 years old.  He was booked at the Adult Pre-trial facility.
14601 VC: Driving on a suspended license and a warrant for DUI.

If adults purchase, give, furnish tobacco or tobacco products to a person under 21 years of age, deputies can arrest or cite them.  
The penalty for purchasing, giving, furnishing tobacco, or tobacco products to a minor can range up to a $1000.00 fine.

This project is being made possible by the Department of Justice Tobacco Grant, funded by the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016, approved by the voters as Proposition 56.

The cases are currently under investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559)733-6218 or send anonymous information by sending a text or email to TCSO@tipnow.com or call 1-800-TIPNOW.