REDDING- On August 26, 2020, California ABC agents and Redding Police Department officers conducted two undercover operations targeting underage drinking which resulted in four store clerks and two store patrons being cited for selling or furnishing alcohol to a person under 21 years of age.
“Selling or furnishing alcohol to someone under 21 is an offense that could lead to serious consequences including injury, traffic accidents and even fatalities,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona. “It may seem harmless, but we have seen time and time again, that it is not. Thank you to ABC agents and Redding PD for working to protect our young people, our families and our communities.”
During the “minor decoy” operation in which a person under 21, under the supervision of law enforcement officers, attempted to purchase alcohol from stores, four store clerks were cited for selling alcohol to the minor. Cited were:
- Brian Keith Munson, 58, of Redding
- Roswell Christopher Weichers, 28, of Redding
- Tyler Jordan Carson, 25, of Redding
- John Patrick O’Neill, 42, of Redding
Store employees who sell alcohol to someone under 21 face a minimum fine of $250, and/or 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation. In addition, ABC will take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage license of the business where alcohol was sold to a minor. That may include a fine, a suspension or the permanent revocation of the license.
Agents and officers also conducted a shoulder tap operation in which their underage decoy asked people entering a store to purchase alcohol for them. The decoy is clear that he or she is not 21 and has money to buy it. During the Shoulder Tap operation two individuals were cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor:
- Daniel Eric Gunter, 47, of Redding;
- Gregory Charles Hunter, 33, of Irvine.
The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.
