Full Notification

Nature of Incident: Alcohol “Minor Decoy” Sting Operation
Report Number: N/A
Location: Various locations – City of Fillmore and Community of Piru
Date & Time: May 19, 2015 / 2-10 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Police Department, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Two adult males and one adult female

Narrative:
On May 19, 2015, members of the Fillmore Police Department, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, and the California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control conducted an alcohol sting, using underage minor decoys, in an attempt to purchase alcohol from various on-sale and off-sale establishments in the city of Fillmore and the community of Piru. “On-sale” generally means merchants are authorized to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises where sold, while “off-sale” generally means merchants are authorized to sell alcohol that must be consumed elsewhere. The goal of this operation was to limit minors’ access to alcohol and confirm establishments are abiding by the Business and Professions Code and rules set forth by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Three underage decoys were used in an attempt to purchase alcohol from 16 locations throughout Fillmore and Piru. Employees at 13 locations asked for identification and turned the decoys away without selling any alcoholic beverages; they are applauded for their diligence. Employees at 3 locations sold alcohol to the underage decoys and either failed to ask for identification or looked at the identification and provided it anyway. These employees were arrested for 25658(a) BP – Furnishing alcohol to a minor and were released on misdemeanor citations to appear in court.

The Fillmore Police Department, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, and California Alcohol Beverage Control will continue to conduct periodic sting operations in an effort to prevent minors’ access to alcohol and remind the public that selling alcohol to, or purchasing alcohol for, minors is illegal. Alcohol is a factor in many homicides, suicides, and unintentional injuries which, along with car crashes, are the four leading causes of death of 15-20 year olds. The public is asked to report incidents of underage drinking and illegal purchasing of alcohol to law enforcement.

Prepared by: Sergeant Kevin Vaden #2241
News Release Date: May 20, 2015
Media Follow-Up Contact: Detective Javier Chavez / 805-524-2233
[email protected]
Approved by: Captain Garo Kuredjian #3051