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TABC appoints Ronald Swenson as executive chief of agency law enforcement operations
AUSTIN — The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has appointed agency veteran Ronald Swenson to the post of executive chief of enforcement, where he will oversee the agency’s 200-plus commissioned peace officers working across the state in support of public safety. Swenson, who previously served as head of the agency’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU), succeeds former Executive Chief Victor Kuykendoll following his retirement in August. “Chief Swenson has been a huge part of TABC’s success in law enforcement over the past 18 years, and I know he’ll be a great fit to lead law enforcement efforts,” said Thomas Graham, TABC Executive Director. “He is a proven leader, an outstanding peace officer, and a true Texan. I have the utmost confidence in Ron and in the entire TABC law enforcement staff. This is an exciting time for our agency.” Swenson got his start at TABC in 2005, starting as an enforcement agent at the agency’s Odessa office. He was later promoted to oversee the SIU and the unit’s investigations into human trafficking, narcotics trafficking and other organized criminal activity. Following that, he was appointed as deputy chief of law enforcement for the agency’s Investigations Bureau, which includes SIU as well as the agency’s criminal intelligence, financial crimes, victim services, and Target Responsibility for Alcohol-Connected Emergencies (TRACE) units. Before joining TABC, Swenson served with the Horizon City Police Department for 11 years. Swenson is a graduate of the FBI National Academy - 212th session, the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Covert Operations School and the Governor’s Executive Development Program. He holds a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Master Peace Officer Certificate as well as a TCOLE instructor certification. He also serves on a number of task force boards, including the Austin-area FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, Texas Violent Gang Task Force and Texas Human Trafficking Prevention Coordinating Council. Media Contact: Chris Porter TABC Director of Communications (512) 206-3462 media@tabc.texas.gov
Read moreTABC announces 93% retailer compliance rate during back-to-school operations
AUSTIN — A statewide series of inspections by agents from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission found that 93% of retailers successfully prevented the sale of alcohol to minors during the busy back-to-school season. The inspections, called “underage compliance operations” (UCOs) by TABC, are part of the agency’s regular efforts to ensure retailers are aware of Texas’ laws against selling alcohol to customers younger than 21. While TABC enforcement agents conduct UCOs on a weekly basis, the back-to-school operations represent a statewide effort to inspect alcohol retailers located near major colleges or universities. In total, TABC agents visited 1,144 alcohol retailers throughout August and September, finding just 81 violations, or a 93% compliance rate. “This data tells us that the vast majority of Texas alcohol retailers take their customers’ safety seriously and are already working to hold their employees accountable,” said Thomas Graham, TABC Executive Director. “These retailers understand that they are the first line of defense when it comes to preventing alcohol-related injury or death, and all of us at TABC are grateful for their continued dedication to maintaining safe communities.” Businesses found selling alcohol to a minor could face a fine or a possible suspension of their license to sell alcohol. Employees who sell alcohol to a minor could face a class A misdemeanor charge punishable by a fine up to $4,000 and one year in jail. For more information on TABC, visit tabc.texas.gov. Media Contact: Chris Porter TABC Director of Communications (512) 206-3462 media@tabc.texas.gov
Read moreTABC agents seize illegal distillation equipment during Johnson County operation
AUSTIN — An anonymous tip led agents from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to uncover and seize illegal distilling equipment during a successful operation Sept. 1. Agents from TABC’s Arlington Regional Office led the operation to seize the still, which was discovered at a residence in Johnson County. The still was maintained in operable condition, meaning it could be used to manufacture illicit alcohol in violation of state law. During an interview with TABC agents, a person living at the residence admitted to owning the equipment. Section 103.02 of the Alcoholic Beverage Code prohibits any person from possessing equipment “designed for, capable of use for, or used in manufacturing an illicit beverage,” including the possession of distillation equipment without a TABC Distiller’s and Rectifier’s Permit. The Code allows peace officers to seize any illicit alcoholic beverages along with any equipment used in their manufacture. “This operation exemplifies TABC’s commitment to properly enforcing the law and ensuring the safety and integrity of the alcoholic beverage industry in Texas,” TABC Executive Director Thomas Graham said. “Not only does illicit alcohol risk the health and safety of anyone who consumes it, but it also undermines the efforts of law-abiding alcohol manufacturers, distributors and retailers who continue the do the right thing when operating their businesses.” Possession of illicit distillation equipment is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine between $100–$1,000. The case remains under investigation. For more information on TABC, visit tabc.texas.gov. Media Contact: Chris Porter TABC Director of Communications (512) 206-3462 media@tabc.texas.gov
Read moreReminder: LPs must switch to new tax ID stamp portal
TABC wants to ensure that holders of a Local Distributor Permit (LP) are using the new online ordering portal for tax ID stamps, which launched in February 2023. The new tax ID stamps system is provided by OpSec Security. Please delete the previous tax ID stamps system link from your records and do not log in to the old system. Any stamps ordered from the old system are still valid. The image below shows how the new system’s log-in screen looks:
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