Modesto police cite clerk in operation targeting alcohol sales to minors
Modesto police and state alcohol regulators cited a store clerk for allegedly selling alcohol to a minor during a recent enforcement operation, authorities said.
The citation stemmed from a minor decoy operation conducted Jan. 26 by the Modesto Police Department and agents with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, according to police.
During the operation, minors working under direct supervision of law enforcement attempted to purchase alcohol from 12 licensed retail businesses in Modesto. Authorities said one clerk sold alcohol to a minor and was cited.
Clerks who sell alcohol to minors face a minimum fine of $250 and 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation, officials said. In addition, ABC may take administrative action against the business’ alcohol license. Potential penalties include fines, suspension or permanent revocation of the license.
“Conducting these operations allow us to help reduce underage drinking and increase public safety,” Modesto police Lt. Eric Schuller said in a statement.
ABC Director Joe McCullough said checking identification is critical to preventing underage alcohol access.
“Businesses should always check IDs before selling alcohol,” McCullough said. “Preventing access to people not old enough to legally purchase alcohol improves safety on our roadways and in our communities.”
Authorities said statistics show drivers younger than 21 face a significantly higher risk of being involved in crashes. About 25% of fatal crashes involve underage drinking, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Minor decoy operations have been used by California law enforcement agencies since the 1980s. Officials said violation rates once ranged between 40% and 50% when the program began. In cities where the operations are conducted routinely, violation rates have dropped below 10%, authorities said.
In 1994, the California Supreme Court ruled unanimously that using minor decoys is a legal enforcement method to ensure alcohol retailers comply with the law.
Police said funding for the operation came from a grant through ABC’s Alcohol Policing Partnership program.
The business where the clerk was cited was not identified by law enforcement.
This story was originally published February 3, 2026 at 4:23 PM.
