More businesses cited for selling booze to minors

Five out of 32 businesses were cited for selling alcohol to underage decoys during a compliance check last week.

"We're going to continue to do these checks and press really hard," said Sgt. Bob White of the Carson City Sheriff's Department. "The penalties for selling alcohol to minors isn't going to get better, it's only going to get worse."

Those nabbed in the sting were: AM PM at 4190 South Carson Street, Winner's Corner at 1400 Rand Avenue; Ben's Fine Wine and Spirits at 444 E. William St., Safeway at 2035 N. Carson Street; and Winner's Corner at 1615 E. Fifth St.

White said three of the citations were written to clerks who looked at the decoys' actual driver's licenses showing their real age of 17 and sold to them anyway. One of the clerks even looked at the identification, apparently recognized that the decoy was a minor, but smiled coyly and made the sale anyway.

Each citation carries a fine of $650 that the clerk is responsible for paying.

The April 29 sting is the eighth compliance check the Sheriff's Department has conducted since they began in 2004. White said the department's goal is to go out and not issue one citation.

"If we went out and no one sold alcohol to a minor then we'd shift our focus to third party sales and education. Until then, we'll keep doing our compliance checks," he said.

n Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.