Clearfield man caught selling moonshine at tire and repair shop

CLEARFIELD COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Police have charged a Pennsylvania man for selling moonshine out of his father’s tire and repair shop.

Steven Scaife II, 34, of Houtzdale is accused of selling moonshine out of a tire shop to members of the Pennsylvania State Police multiple times last year.

Troopers said on Friday, March 10, 2023, at 3 p.m. they arrived at Scaife Affordable Tire and Auto Repair where they met Scaife’s father. Troopers noted in the complaint they asked for two caramel apple moonshine and Scaife’s father went to the garage and returned with the moonshine in quart jars.

His father said he needed to text Scaife to see how much they cost and told troopers that he was 50% owner with his son in the moonshine business. According to the affidavit, troopers were giving Scaife’s phone number and could call him to place an order.

The moonshine was taken in as evidence.

About two weeks later, troopers contacted Scaife to order multiple different flavors of moonshine. Charges show that troopers asked to pick up the moonshine after the garage closed which Scaife said he’d leave the moonshine at the garage.

Scaife told troopers that he would not be there when they picked it up and asked them to put the money in the key slot on the door. Police retrieved three more jars which were entered as evidence.

On Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, troopers arrived at the shop and began questioning Scaife about his moonshine operation and selling illegal liquor. While at the shop, troopers noted in the complaint that Scaife took them out back to a white tractor-trailer with a sleeper cap where moonshine was located.

According to the affidavit, Scaife allegedly admitted that he runs 1.5 gallons of illegal moonshine at a time and has produced 50 gallons since Oct. 2022.

He is charged with misdemeanor counts of unlawful sales of liquor and failing to distill alcohol without getting a license.

Scaife is currently awaiting his preliminary hearing which is scheduled for July 24.

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