Alcohol shot house closed in Albany

ALBANY — Albany Police arrested the owner of a south Albany “shot house” Sunday and shut down the illegal sale of whiskey and beer, according to police reports.

Cpl. Paul Guhl with the Albany Police Department stated that shortly after 7 p.m., while assisting U.S. Marshals apprehend a fugitive at 1100 S. Cleveland St. Apt. C, he noticed that several people inside the residence were drinking beer or other alcohol beverages.

According to his report, Guhl subsequently made contact with the apartment owner, Larry Cooper, who admitted he was operating a shot house out of the residence, selling alcoholic beverages by the drink.

Guhl stated that warrant checks were run on eight individuals inside the business, all of whom told Guhl they were “just visiting.” All the checks were negative and the individuals were free to leave, Guhl said.

According to Guhl, a case of Icehouse beer was in plain sight inside the apartment. Cooper consented to a search of the premises and additional alcoholic beverages were discovered, including bottles of vodka, gin and brandy, Guhl said.

Officials say Cooper was transported to the Dougherty County jail where he was charged with maintaining a disorderly house. After being photographed as evidence, the alcohol was transported to the downtown Law Enforcement Center where it was destroyed, Guhl said.