Dept. of Liquor Control Inspector Arrested, Charged With Extortion

A Montgomery County Department of Liquor Control inspector was arrested outside a Wheaton restaurant on Feb. 16 on counts of extortion.

Police arrested Carlos A. Grajeda, 38, at approximately 1:45 p.m. and he was charged with two counts of extortion of $500.

On January 30, detectives from the Montgomery County Police Special Investigation Division, Vice and Intelligence Section were contacted by Mario Nieto, the owner of the Matamoros Restaurant on University Boulevard.

According to police, Nieto said that he had received two reports for alcohol violations that occurred on Dec. 2, 2011 and Jan. 7, 2012. These reports indicated that Matamoros employees had served patrons under the age of 21 years old and patrons that were intoxicated.  

Police said that, according to Nieto, Grajeda had offered to "take care" of the violations if Nieto paid him $1,000. Grajeda is also alleged to have promised to warn Nieto of any future DLC inspections, which would allow Nieto to operate in compliance.

According to a police investigation, Grajeda received $500 from Nieto at the Matamoros Restaurant on Jan. 30 and stated that he would return in approximately two weeks to obtain another $500 payment.  

On Feb. 16 at approximately 12:20 p.m., Grajeda arrived at Matamoros and received $500 from Nieto. Police said Grajeda was observed leaving the restaurant and driving to another establishment a short distance away. Police arrested him a short time later after leaving the second establishment. The $500 given to Grajeda by Nieto was recovered from Grajeda's jacket, police said.

Grajeda, who resides in the 600 block of Trawler Lane in Annapolis, was released on bond after being charged, according to police.  

He has a preliminary hearing on March 16 in the Rockville District Court.