ZYN Sale Sting: Waldorf Convenience Clerk Charged After Underage Purchase

WALDORF, Md. — A Waldorf convenience store employee was arrested earlier this month after authorities say he sold a tobacco product to an underage police operative during a compliance check.

According to court documents, Osman Goni, 32, of Waldorf, was charged following an incident that occurred on March 10, 2026, at the 24/7 Mega Convenience store located on Leonardtown Road in Waldorf.

Investigators with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office conducted an underage tobacco compliance operation using an authorized underage person to attempt to purchase tobacco products from local businesses. During the operation, the underage operative entered the store with a marked $20 bill and attempted to buy a tobacco product.

Authorities say the operative purchased a ZYN nicotine product from the cashier, who was the only employee working behind a glass-enclosed counter at the time. The operative then exited the store with the product and $11.55 in change.

Deputies then entered the business and made contact with the cashier, later identified as Goni. Officers advised him that he had sold a tobacco product to a person under the legal age.

According to the report, there was a language barrier during the interaction, and the cashier told investigators he was from Bangladesh. When asked for identification, the only document he was able to provide was a New York State medical insurance card identifying him as Osman Goni with a date of birth of January 18, 1994.

Authorities recovered the ZYN product and the change from the underage operative. Investigators also confirmed the $20 bill used during the operation by matching its serial number.

Because Goni could not provide identification needed to issue a criminal citation at the scene, he was placed under arrest and transported to the Charles County Detention Center to appear before a district court commissioner.

Goni was charged with distributing tobacco products to a person under 21 years old. He was later released on his own recognizance.

A hearing is set for May 13, 2026, in Charles County District Court.

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