Kings Sheriff's Dept. and Alcohol Beverage Control nab suspects for selling alcohol to minors

The operation utilized minors who attempted to purchase alcohol from local businesses. The routine program uses the minors in a clandestine attempt to have adults buy alcohol for minors, knowing the minors were underage.

During one operation, law enforcement officials visited the Shell Gas Station, located at 161 W. D St., Lemoore, and it was at this location that two minor decoys successfully purchased alcohol from a suspect, employee Abdulrahman Omar, 19. Omar was issued a criminal citation for selling alcohol to a minor and was released at the scene. The Alcohol Beverage Control agency will be taking administrative action against the business' liquor license.

Two others, at different locations, were issued criminal citations – suspects Dalila Ramirez, 23, and Anastacio Castellanos, 35 – who according to deputies, purchased alcohol for minors.

If found guilty, the suspects, Omar, Ramirez, and Castellanos, could face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

During the operation, 10 businesses were visited and refused to sell alcohol to the decoy minors. Twenty-eight persons were contacted and declined to purchase alcohol for the minors.

The department’s decoy and shoulder tap operations will continue throughout the year. The actions are funded by an ABC grant awarded to the Sheriff's Office.