US officers destroy illegal moonshine still

A man is expected to be charged with operating an illicit moonshine distillery from his home in Virginia, US.

Man due to be charged with operating illegal moonshine distillery in his US home

Sammy Lee Scott, 49, of Davis Mill Road in Rocky Mount, is due to be charged with a Class 6 felony for the manufacture of illegal alcohol.

If found guilty, Scott could serve either one to five years in jail, or up to one year in jail plus a US$2,500 fine.

Acting on a resident’s tip, special agents from the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), with the assistance of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, discovered a 50-gallon operational still in Scott’s Rocky Mountain residence on Monday.

Agents also confiscated 300 gallons of live mash, more than 40 gallons of untaxed liquor and numerous other pieces of distilling equipment and supplies.

ABC agents destroyed the still on site.

The illegal operation, which has been monitored for approximately six months, has allegedly been selling moonshine to underage consumers.

The case is currently pending further investigation but will be presented before a Franklin County grand jury in the near future.