In July of 2012, Stephen Labruyere was in custody after police say he provided vodka to a neighbor teen approximately 16 years old that nearly died of alcohol poisoning after being sent by ambulance to the hospital. The boy had a BAC of approximately .349 percent. Original story available here.

He was charged with of Endangering the Welfare of a Child in the 1st Degree in violation of Missouri Statute 568.050. In Missouri, this is a Class C Felony. The punishment for a Class C felony is a maximum of 7 years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000.00, a term of 1 year in the county jail, or any combination of fine and imprisonment.

In February, Mr. Labruyer plead guilty to the charges and received a Suspended Execution of Sentence and probation. Under a Suspended Execution of Sentence, Mr. Labruyer will have a felony on his record, but will not have to serve the full jail time of 7 years unless he violates the terms of his probation. Those terms include: 5 years probation, 90 days shock time* and 90 days house arrest.

Is this an excessive sentence? Pursuant to the statutes and the law, the Judge was well within the sentencing guidelines regarding this matter. Mr. Labruyer is not a first time offender – a search of casenet provided a few previous drug related charges and shock incarcerations.

What this case shows us is that providing alcohol to minors can have multitude of consequences. This is only one of the many ways you could be charged if you provide alcohol to a minor.

*In Missouri even when the Execution of Sentence is Suspended, a judge may still order Shock Time. This is a jail term intended to shock the individual and potential prevent recidivism.