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Katana Sushi in Mount Airy fined $300 after server misreads vertical ID; restaurant tightens policies
Summary
Carroll County license board found Katana Sushi culpable for serving alcohol to a 19‑year‑old volunteer during a May compliance check, assessed a $300 fine and accepted corrective steps including written no‑vertical‑ID policy and staff certifications.
The Board of License Commissioners found Katana Sushi of Mount Airy culpable for selling alcohol to a minor during a compliance check on May 20 and assessed a $300 fine on June 27.
Inspector William Ledley testified that an underage volunteer ordered a Heineken and the server, identified as Xian (Xian) Zhang, viewed a vertical ID and then served the beer. "After viewing his ID, the server gave him a Heineken," Ledley said. He reported that the server later told him she had misread the ID and expressed remorse. The owner/manager, John Chen, was present and advised the inspector of the incident.
Kelly Schafer Miller, counsel for Katana Sushi, told the board the server had been a recent hire with about one month of employment, had received the restaurant's in‑house training but not yet state‑approved alcohol‑awareness certification, and had completed the county diversion program and scheduled in‑person certification. The restaurant implemented a written policy to refuse vertical IDs, posted additional signage and had employees sign an updated alcohol‑service policy. "In order to enforce that with employees, exhibit 1 shows you a written policy that has been distributed and signatures have been attained," Miller said.
Commissioners considered the establishment's long record of compliance — the inspector said the site had seven checks in the past five years with this as the first violation — and the corrective steps taken by management. The board found the licensee culpable and imposed a $300 fine payable within 30 days.
Why it matters: The board emphasized prevention by removing vertical IDs as acceptable identification, requiring in‑person certification and written acknowledgement by staff. Commissioners said county diversion and certification practices help reduce repeat violations.
What happens next: The restaurant must pay the $300 fine and continue to certify staff; counsel said the server completed diversion and was signed up for formal alcohol certification. The board recorded the corrective policies in its public record.
