Minnesota’s largest candy store owner was indicted after the business sold alcohol-filled candy without a license, court records show.
Robert Wagner, 66, was charged with a gross misdemeanor for selling alcoholic beverages without a license or permit, according to a criminal complaint filed Oct. 27.
Court documents show that officers with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division received an anonymous tip on July 1 that the store was selling candy filled with alcohol and selling it to a minor without checking their ID.
Officers checked records and discovered the store located in Jordan did not have a license to sell alcohol.
What did the officers find?
The complaint says officers went to the store on July 22 for an undercover check. Inside, they found a section reserved for alcoholic candies and confectionery.
Officers said many boxes contained the following warning: “The sale of this product to persons under the legal purchasing age for alcoholic beverages is illegal.” »
The complaint states that the agents purchased:
- Asbach Pralinen Brandy Cherries: Chocolate-covered cherries containing 7.3% brandy.
- Goldkenn Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire Swiss Chocolate: Chocolate with a liquid syrup center containing 3.58% alcohol by volume
The complaint said the alcohol-filled items were sold through the same process as other items. Later that day, officers executed a search warrant at the store. The officers met with Wagner and explained to him why they were there.
Court records show Wagner told officers that Minnesota’s largest candy store did not have a liquor license. Wagner then told officers he was familiar with the candy and thought the store could sell all the alcoholic candy it had in stock.
Wagner is scheduled to make his first court appearance on December 18.
Gn bussni
