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Trick shot: pool hall accused of alcohol violations

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By LISA A. DAVIS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 22, 2009

NEW PORT RICHEY - On its MySpace page, TJ Billiards and Sports Bar calls itself "New Port Richey's Premier Pool Hall" and advertises drink specials and pool tournaments.

The site lists its mood as "hungover."

But New Port Richey police say it's the bar that's been giving them a headache with 59 calls for service - including reports of shots fired, a stabbing, drugs use and under-aged drinking – so far this year.

On Friday, city police officers along with agents from the state Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, conducted an undercover investigation, witnessing under-aged drinking inside the business, according to police.

Four minors were arrested on misdemeanor charges of possession of alcohol by a minor and 23-year-old Jonathon Hernandez was given a notice to appear in court on a charge of giving an alcoholic beverage to a person under the age of 21.

"They were allowed to purchase the alcohol inside the business," said Capt. Jeffrey Harrington, adding that the minors didn't even display fake identification.

After the criminal investigation, ABT conducted an administrative review of the business at 6431 U.S. 19, citing it for eight violations of contraband alcohol totaling $8,000 in fines. The business was not purchasing alcohol from authorized vendors, Harrington said.

Police and ABT agents will continue monitoring the business.

"There's going to be follow up to ensure that's this isn't going to be the source of any additional problems," Harrington said of the pool hall.

Reporter Lisa A. Davis can be reached at (727) 815-1083.

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