REDDING: Minor decoy/shoulder tap operation nets four arrests

REDDING — Two employees and two citizens were cited yesterday, after allegedly serving or purchasing alcoholic beverages for a minor who was working with law enforcement officials during a minor decoy and shoulder tap operation. The operation, which was funded by an A.B.C grant, took place throughout the city, Friday, Sept. 15.

During the operation, City of Redding police officials and agents with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control teamed up to tackle the problem of selling or furnishing alcohol to minors, Redding Police Corporal Harris said in a written press release after the successful operation.

As part of the recurring program, which Harris explained “is designed to encourage safe and appropriate sales of alcoholic beverages,” the juvenile attempted to buy alcohol from businesses, such as bars, restaurants or liquor stores, as well as from citizens at different locations, such as grocery or liquor stores.

During the minor decoy part of the operation, a juvenile – working under the direct supervision of law enforcement officials – entered eleven businesses and attempted to buy an alcoholic beverage.

California Penal Code §25657 to 25668 dictate that the minor must have the “appearance of a person under 21 years of age.”

Of the eleven businesses the minor entered, employees from two sold or furnished beer to the juvenile.

44-year-old, Redding resident and Taqueria Los Lalos restaurant employee Selene Covarrubias was cited for selling or furnishing alcohol to a minor. The restaurant is located at 983 Lake Boulevard. Michael Behnke, 29, of Redding, an employee at Fusion Lounge, located at 2704 Hartnell Avenue, was cited for the same.

During the shoulder tap portion of the operation, the minor contacted five citizens outside different businesses; two of whom purchased alcoholic beverages for the juvenile. Jayce Wells, 21, and Cody Morrow, 23, both of Redding, were cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor.

Those with a first time conviction of selling or furnishing alcohol to a minor, a misdemeanor, could face fines up to $1,000, be required to perform up to 48 hours of community service or a combination of both. Whenever possible, State legistation dictates that the community service is to be served at an alcohol or drug treatment facility or at a county coroner’s office.

Businesses with alcoholic beverage licenses with a first time conviction face a 15-day suspension of their alcoholic beverage licenses. Second time offenders face a 25-day suspension and businesses with three convictions can face permanent revocation of their licenses.

“Businesses are urged to check the identification of anyone attempting to purchase alcoholic beverages,” said Harris. “Citizens are encouraged to refuse to purchase alcoholic beverages for people they do not know.”

Anyone with information regarding the unlawful sales of alcohol to minors within the City of Redlands is encouraged to contact Redding police officials at (530) 225-4200. Callers can remain anonymous.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, who recently moved to the Intermountain Communities of Shasta County, runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook and for Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.