Alcohol Sting Snares Store Clerk In Temecula

TEMECULA, CA — A recent law enforcement sting in Temecula aimed at preventing the sale of alcohol to minors resulted in one store clerk being cited, and more crackdowns are expected, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department announced Wednesday.

The Nov. 14 sting was a joint effort between the sheriff's department and the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The operation clamped down on clerks who sell alcohol to underage customers.

The sheriff's department and ABC used underage decoys who tried to purchase alcohol from four retail licensees in Riverside County, according to the sheriff's department.

The operation resulted in one citation in the 31000 block of Rancho California Road, the sheriff's department reported.

The fine includes a minimum of $250 and/or 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation. The ABC is also taking administrative actions against the seller. That could include a fine, a suspension, or the permanent revocation of the license, according to the sheriff's department.

“Businesses should always check IDs before selling alcohol,” said ABC Director Joseph McCullough. “Preventing access to people not old enough to legally purchase alcohol improves safety on our roadways and in our communities.”

On Wednesday, the sheriff's department announced it was awarded a $75,000 grant from the ABC to battle "alcohol-related harm in the community." The project focus area includes the city of Temecula and the unincorporated county areas of Winchester, French Valley and Murrieta.

The funds will be used to help prevent alcoholic beverage sales to minors and obviously intoxicated patrons, illegal solicitations of alcohol, and other criminal activities such as the sale and possession of illegal drugs, the sheriff's department reported.

“This is important to Temecula and surrounding area in order to increase the protection for youth and to address crime at problem locations,” said Southwest Sheriff's Station Captain Chris Durham.

The grant is one of nearly 50 awarded in California to local law enforcement agencies.

During the Nov. 14 sting, deputies also conducted a "Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation" in which the minors approached 21 adults at three different stores and asked them to buy alcohol for them. No citations were reported. Penalties for the illegal activity include a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours community service, the sheriff's department said.