Several Sell Alcohol To Underage Buyers

Sonora, CA — In cooperation with law enforcement, underage teens went into 47 Tuolumne County businesses over the weekend trying to purchase alcohol.

Nine of those businesses had clerks that sold alcohol to the underage patrons. The operation was carried out by Sheriff’s deputies, state Alcohol Beverage Control Agents, and minor decoys. They went to supermarkets, mini-marts and bars. The event was proposed to Sheriff Jim Mele by a high school student working on a senior project. The student is interested in a future career in law enforcement.

The business clerks and bar tenders cited either did not ask for identification, or did not pay close enough attention to the ID’s supplied by the minors.

We requested a list of businesses that had violations, but the Sheriff’s Office said it will not be made public.