Ottumwa Police report that a check to see if local convenience stores and bars are upholding State Laws against selling tobacco products to minors resulted in only one incident out of 29 retailers checked.

Ottumwa Police note that a 17-year old went undercover, to try and buy cigarettes from local establishments on January 11th and 12th. Police report that 41 year old Marie Angela LaRue, an employee of Smoke Shack, 329 South Vine, was charged with the misdemeanor of selling tobacco to a minor. The penalty is 100 dollars. Police note that the business itself was not charged.

Other operations are scheduled for the near future, according to the Ottumwa Police Department.