Selling Alcohol to Minors Nets Two Arrests

CATHEDRAL CITY — For the second time in 10 days, the Cathedral City Police Department Special Operation Section along with agents of the California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) arrested two suspects for furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors.

On Saturday, March 9, the undercover operations were conducted at several locations throughout the city of Cathedral City, according to Cathedral City Police Commander Paul Herrera.

ABC agents and local law enforcement conducted a program called a Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation which targets adults who purchase alcohol for people less than 21 years of age.  Under the program, a minor under the direct supervision of a peace officer will stand outside a liquor or convenience store and ask patrons to buy them alcohol.  The minor indicates in some way he or she is underage and cannot purchase the alcohol.

If the adults agree to purchase alcohol for the minor, Agents then arrest and cite them for furnishing alcohol to the minor.  The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.

Arrested was Humberto Coronado, 58, of Cathedral City, and Luis Garcia-Solórzano, 40, of Cathedral City. Both suspects were cited and released with notices to appear.

On Feb. 27, A 35-year-old Palm Springs woman was arrested after selling alcohol to a minor while working as a clerk at the Mobil located at 34021 Date Palm Drive.

The program is intended to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors.  Statistics show they generally have a higher rate of drunk driving crashes than adults.  Studies also show the combination of alcohol and youth tends to increase criminal conduct.  According to the American Medical Association, underage drinking can increase chances of risky sexual behavior and teen pregnancy, juvenile delinquency, compromise health, and result in unintentional injury and death.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) through the department’s Grant Assistance Program.

ABC is a Department of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.