“Kudos to the 11 clerks who carefully checked identification and denied the sale of alcohol to someone under the age of 21.  It’s a simple thing to check IDs and goes a long way in keeping all of us safe from harm.  Our thanks to ABC agents and their local law enforcement partners for routinely conducting these operations.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

MODESTO– On January 26, 2026, Modesto Police officers, along with agents of the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), cited a clerk for selling alcohol to someone under the age of 21. The actions were the result of a minor decoy operation in which minors under the direct supervision of department agents, attempted to purchase alcohol from 12 retail licensees in Modesto.

Clerks who sell alcohol 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.

“Conducting these operations allow us to help reduce underage drinking and increase public safety,” said Modesto Police Lieutenant Eric Schuller.

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

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. About 25 percent of fatal crashes involve underage drinking according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).