This is not a gimmick by any means, a fifteen year old “undercover agent” helped solve the problem of minors becoming the victims of their own indiscretion and of those, who use their indiscretion for their own benefit. It’s not just another Hollywood Cody Banks type of blockbuster, but a real-life deal where the 15 year old girl met with undercover agents discussing her “part-time job” and her comings and goings. Usually her job had to do with going to various stores, about which complaints had been made concerning the underage customers being sold alcohol and tobacco products to.

She went in and attempted to buy the items, which she was not old enough to buy. Apparently her career of make-believe underage customer was rather successful, as in a number of instances she succeeded at buying and thus the salesclerks succeeded at being charged with violation of the law.

That was over five years ago, and now Jessica Wood is about to turn 21, when she is allowed to buy “underage” products at will. When asked about the program of which she was a part of, she replied that she would highly recommend children getting involved with the program. There are several benefits – it’s “fun,” it’s “easy money” (according to the now uncovered agent) and most importantly it keeps the stuff off of the hands of minors.

The charges for illegal sale to minors could vary depending on circumstances, where the establishment could lose the license to sell alcoholic beverages and the clerk could be criminally charged.

Perhaps parents can get their children plugged into the program provided by the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. It would definitely be a better fit than buying tobacco and alcohol products.