New Misdemeanor Charge

Michelle Araujo Charged with Selling Alcohol to a Minor at Her Liquor Store
Legal problems are mounting for Lockney J.P. Michelle Araujo after Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission filed a complaint, March 16, against Araujo in Briscoe County for selling alcohol to a minor. Araujo was also arrested last week, March 10, with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon after she shot her husband, Romeo Araujo several times in the abdomen area.
Selling Alcohol to a minor is a Class A Misdemeanor that is punishable with confinement in jail for not longer than 1 year, and, or, a fine not to exceed $4,000.
A person convicted of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon could be sentenced to 2-20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
Besides her duties as Justice of the Peace and Lockney City Judge, Michelle Araujo works at Bruskie's Liquor, located in Briscoe County on Hwy. 378. Michelle and her husband, Romeo, both own the liquor store.
The TABC complaint filed in the Briscoe County Attorney Emily Roy's office, by TABC Officer James A. Martin, stated that Martin observed Michelle Araujo selling a six pack of Coors Light to a 17 year old female.
The Complaint stated the TABC was conducting an investigation into the selling of alcohol to minors with a "minor sting operation."
In a sting of this type a minor will enter the store and, under the watchful eye of a TABC officer, attempt to buy alcohol.
According to TABC, minors are not allowed to misrepresent themselves with fake identification and are not allowed to dress in such a way as to appear older.
In the Complaint, Officer Martin stated, "The minor had a valid Texas License with the birth date of 11/24/89 and did not look older than her age.
"I entered the store before the minor, so that I could observe the attempted purchase of alcohol....The minor took a six pack of Coors Light to the counter. The clerk (later identified as Michelle Araujo) asked the minor for proof of age and the minor showed the clerk her driver's license. The clerk allowed the minor to purchase the beer."
This is the 2nd complaint of selling to a minor, filed by TABC, against Bruskie's within a year. The other complaint was against a different clerk working at the store.