Undocumented Male Threatens 68-Year-Old Female Cashier in Venice, Florida, for Refusing to Sell Him Alcohol without an ID
Gov DeSantis, SRQ* Sheriff Hoffman, FL State Biz Licensing Board, and Miami DHS Give an Eff You . . . to the Victim!
In mid-October 2023, an undocumented1 Spanish-speaking black male (approximately six two, 175 pounds) threatened to cut the throat of a 68-year-old female store clerk in Venice, Florida (*Sarasota County), because she refused to sell him alcohol against the terms of Florida State law.2
The cashier, referred to as Ms. B. to avoid making her that much more vulnerable to attack, is a veteran of the book-publishing industry, for which she now freelances. To supplement her income, she works part time at a gas station convenience store.
What actually happened? Ms. B. said that on this particular Thursday-evening-into-night shift in October, there was the usual rush of Spanish-only-speaking workers emerging from trucks belonging to local Venice and Sarasota County landscaping, roofing, masonry, construction, and other companies.
The perpetrator, whom Ms. B. had previously denied alcohol as a result of his refusal (or inability) to present identification, did not take kindly to again being denied the sale of beer. He was angry and left his other purchases unpaid-for on the counter. He walked to the back of the store to confer with other patrons from his group and “when [Ms. B.] looked up from the register and caught his eye, he made a throat-cutting gesture and pointed at [her].”
Ms. B. said she was taken aback but didn’t immediately say anything to her manager on duty. It was just the two of them working, and he was busy preparing food.
“I forced myself to shrug off the customer’s threat as a petulant juvenile gesture, which in a way helped confirm my suspicion of his being underage,” she said, “and I couldn’t imagine any of his equally jejune cohorts backing me up. I also did not want to involve the other customers,” she continued, “so I mentally shelved the incident.”
The following Thursday, Ms. B. did not see that customer. However, she later encountered him away from the store, on the road, and he made the same throat-cutting gesture at her.
“I was freaked-out by that out-of-context threat and felt that I had to do something.”
Here are the steps Ms. B. took to make the situation known to law enforcement, state government representatives, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation,** and finally the Miami division of DHS (in Plantation, Florida):
She reported the incident, by text and voice mail, to an elected official who got back to Ms. B. with the news that the sheriff couldn’t do anything unless and until Ms. B. was physically attacked—as Ms. B. puts it, a situation akin to “installing the traffic light after the fatality.” The official expressed her genuine concern for Ms. B. and her frustration at being unable to remedy the problem. She suggested Ms. B. become employed at a local grocery chain.
Ms. B. then reported the incident, verbally, to two different county deputies who’d come into the store for coffee during her morning shift. She received shrugs. Nothing they could do, they informed her, reiterating the frustrating news she’d previously received.
Next she contacted Gov. DeSantis’s office in Tallahassee, by phone. She spoke to a female there who was dismissive and clipped. She laughed and told Ms. B. to call ICE. “There was zero concern in her voice and her dead-end nonaction put a point on her attitude. I couldn’t believe such a callous creep worked for the governor!”
Then Ms. B. called Senator Joe Gruters, of the Florida Legislature. She spoke with a female office worker who initially attempted to dismiss her. Ms. B. persisted until she received a suggested next course of action.
The next two calls ended in Ms. B. leaving voice mail messages with the **Florida business and professional licensing board. Ms. B. left the names of companies that are most likely in breach of their license agreement by employing undocumented aliens. [“Alien” is a term of art in the US legal system. To those, native speakers and others, who are not fluent in the English language, they know only one definition for the word, insanely likening it to an ET or wrongly deeming it derogatory rather than factual.] To date, no one on the board has returned her call.
As a final measure, Ms. B. left a voice mail for the Miami Division of Homeland Security (in Plantation) but to date has received no response.
Ms. B. added that she’d told managers at the store and a higher-up manager about the incident. “I was told to call 911 should I encounter the perp again, but I now know that would be to no avail. The managers do care and they appreciate that I uphold what I learned about working in a store that has committed to responsible sales. They’re also looking for someone who can replace me on the Thursday second shift.
“The situation is aggravating, frightening, and untenable. Gov. DeSantis portrayed the state’s governing attitude as one that doesn’t countenance illegal immigration, that enforces the law.
“What a bunch of happy horse sh-t! I feel betrayed by the misrepresentation of the state government’s approach. Sarasota County is rife with undocumented workers, not a one who could present me with a GREEN CARD!,” Ms. B. said emphatically.
“Governor DeShorty needs to stop gallivanting! He and his wife, who seems to fancy herself as the second coming of Camelot, have made liars of me. I told other voters I believed steadfastly that DeShorty intended to fully serve out his second term and would not abandon Floridians.
“And rank-and-file supporters of his need to stop making excuses, such as the inane one that the licensing board doesn’t have the budget to send out inspectors to businesses likely employing illegal workers.
“I heard Governor DeShorty with my own two ears touting the budget surplus more than once. So if illegal immigration truly is anathema to him and to law enforcement,” Ms. B. continued, rolling her eyes, “why wasn’t more money allocated for this important task?
“Speaking of MISREPRESENTATION, I want a refund, or an expense-paid move to Charleston, SC, where I’d originally intended to move until the pandemic had me craving an ostensibly full ‘FREEDOM-LOVING’ state!
“And if something should happen to me as a result of these threats, I want my nephew to be able, if so moved, to sue the nonresponsive officials and agencies, the current state and federal government administrations, the lying media, and so forth until every penny of taxpayer dollars has been wrung out of them!” she said, resolutely.
We will expand on this article in the coming days and weeks, adding a list of businesses that might well be hiring the illegals and paying them, with hundred-dollar bills, under the table. Some even have bank debit cards without identification and have received EBT cards.
Ms. B. asked if readers who are on X (formerly Twitter) would share this article as follows: @realDonaldTrump, @RonDeSantis, @SarasotaSheriff @JoeGruters @FLSenateGOP, @FLMajority, @TuckerCarlson, @GenFlynn, @elonmusk, @DHSgov @SecMayorkas, and to call the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation at (850) 487-1395 to insist that errant businesses in Sarasota County, especially Venice and Sarasota, be inspected with unannounced visits.
We hope for the safety of Ms. B. and all American citizens. Take action, because tomorrow it could be you or a loved one being threatened by thugs who have NO RIGHT TO BE HERE! “First they came for senior citizens working blue-collar jobs . . .”
In practicing responsible journalism, I use the term undocumented only because although illegality is logically suspected—the cashier not being presented w/a state or international ID or a Green Card—it is not yet proven. Though I wouldn’t advise betting the farm against the perp’s status as an invader.
Title XXXIV, chapters 561-69. Here’s one place to find an explanation of the law in plain English: https://www.deantsourakis.com/the-drinking-age-in-florida-understanding-florida-drinking-laws/. In brief, “[t]he drinking [and smoking!] age in Florida is 21. It is the same as the national standard across the country. According to Florida Statutes §562.111(1), if anyone is under that age, it is illegal to be in possession of alcohol . . .” The penalties for the SELLER—the individual cashier and the business concern—are STEEP, as well as are the penalties for the minor.
It occurs to me that people who hire companies who employ illegals should also be liable to a lawsuit. They do so to "save money" at the expense of the lives and fortunes of others. They should answer for doing so.
OMFG! I don't even know what to say. You did everything humanly possible. If anyone used to care before (and I assure you most didn't), they care even less now it seems, especially officially. I hope "Ms. B." is armed or at least works with someone who is. Much love and spiritual protection to you. xo