Carroll County liquor board finds three licensees culpable in underage-sale cases; penalties ordered

The Carroll County Board of License Commissioners on April (date on record) found three licensees culpable for selling alcohol to an underage volunteer following routine compliance checks and ordered penalties ranging from fines to a brief suspension.

The board opened formal hearings on three cases where inspectors said licensed staff sold alcoholic beverages to a 19-year-old volunteer who presented a vertical (underage) license. William Ledley, the board’s part-time liquor inspector, presented the compliance-check reports in each matter and the board then heard testimony from licensees, managers and counsel.

In case 6548, involving Taco Loco (265 Baltimore Boulevard), inspector William Ledley testified that an underage volunteer was served a beer on Feb. 20, 2025. Licensee Jose Antonio Ulloa acknowledged the incident, said the server was fired and described written policies and staff training his company uses. Ulloa told the board, “I’m here to say sorry,” and said the restaurant had since passed a follow-up compliance check on March 20, 2025. The board voted to find the licensee culpable and assessed a $300 fine.

In case 6549, involving Sushi Q (Angler Road), Ledley testified a server identified as Leshi (Leshi) Dong served an underage volunteer on Feb. 20, 2025. Counsel Anthony Bartlett told the board the restaurant retrained all staff and produced certificates for in‑house training; a follow-up compliance check a month later showed the location passed. The board found the licensee culpable and assessed a $300 fine.

In case 6550, the board considered a violation at Carriage House Liquors, where an employee sold a six‑pack to a 19‑year‑old on Feb. 20, 2025. Licensees Jessica Smith and Brian Brook said the clerk was a new hire, had tip/TIPS certification, and that the store has an incident log and had adopted a “card all” policy after earlier 2023 violations. Counsel Kelly Schafer Miller and the licensees provided evidence that the clerk was warned, placed on probation and that the store had since installed a new point‑of‑sale scanner that requires an ID scan. The board found the licensees culpable and imposed a 10‑day suspension to run May 9–18, 2025, and assessed a $1,200 fine that will be suspended if the establishment has no violations for 12 months beginning on its reopening (May 19, 2025). The board recorded that the fine and suspension arrangement reflected prior practice and the remedial steps taken by the licensees.

Votes at a glance

- Case 6548, Taco Loco (265 Baltimore Blvd.): Found culpable; fine $300. Motion recorded and adopted by voice vote. - Case 6549, Sushi Q (Angler Rd.): Found culpable; fine $300. Motion recorded and adopted by voice vote. - Case 6550, Carriage House Liquors (1113 West Main St.): Found culpable; 10‑day suspension May 9–18, 2025; $1,200 fine suspended if no violations for 12 months starting May 19, 2025. Motion recorded and adopted by voice vote.

Why it matters: The board said it views underage sales as a significant public‑safety and legal matter and emphasized that remediation (terminating or disciplining the responsible employee, retraining staff, installing POS safeguards and successful follow‑up checks) affects the scope of penalties. The board also noted that diversion programs and victim‑impact options may be used by individuals cited in compliance checks.

The board closed each case after the motions and entered the orders; the licensees have the usual 30 days to satisfy civil fines where applicable.

— Reporting for the Carroll County Board of License Commissioners; statements in the hearing and motions are drawn from sworn testimony and formal evidence presented at the hearing.