Man charged after illegal winery found at wastewater plant

Man charged after illegal winery found at wastewater plant

Large illegal alcohol operation at a wastewater treatment facility in north alabama.

The bust was made in rainsville, yesterday.

News 12's dorothy sherman has the latest.

Dsherman@wdef.com/dorothy sherman: "a city employee has turned himself in after investigators found a large illegal winery at the rainsville wastewater treatment facility."

When you think of a wastewater treatment plant, you might not think of a winery.

But take a look at these photos.

They're of the alcohol dekalb county investigators found on thursday after they uncovered was they say is an illegal wine operation at the rainsville wastewater treatment facility.

An anonymous tip lead to authorities to the plant and now a city employee faces charges.

Authorities say that on friday 62- year-old allen steifel was charged and turned himself in.

Steifel was charged with unlawful possession of an illegally manufactured alcoholic beverage and use of official position for personnel gain.

Nats i went out to ask residents what they thought about the situation and while some north alabama residents say they were shocked to hear about, others i spoke to weren't all that surprised.

Rainsville resident/andrew hanenburg: "i'm not really shocked at all.

There's probably a lot of stuff going on like that per se instant moonshine businesses going around, this and that, bootleggers."

While the suspect denies it, it is believed that the wine that was being made was being sold.

Dsherman@wdef.com/dorothy sherman: "the investigation into this situation is ongoing.

In rainsville, dorothy sherman, news 12 now."

Chattanooga police