“It is important to conduct minor decoy operations throughout California to ensure that clerks are doing their jobs in checking the IDs of younger customers.  It’s a simple task and goes a long way in protecting the public.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

SANTA MARIA – Santa Maria PD along with agents of the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) cited a store clerk for selling alcohol to a minor on January 21, 2026. The citation was the result of a minor decoy operation in which minors under the direct supervision of department agents, attempted to purchase alcohol from eight retail licensees in City of Santa Maria. 
 
Clerks who sell to a minor face a minimum fine of $250, and 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation. In addition, ABC may take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage license of the business where alcohol was sold to a minor. That may include a fine, suspension, or the permanent revocation of the license.
 
“Licensees should always check identification before selling alcohol,” said ABC Acting Director Frank Robles. “Our roadways and communities see improved safety when we prevent access to people not old enough to legally purchase alcohol.”
 
Statistics have shown that young people under the age of 21 have a much higher risk of being involved in a crash than older drivers.