Frederick County Liquor Board fines multiple retailers for sales-to-minor violations, extends probations

Frederick County Liquor Board members on Jan. 12 imposed monetary penalties and probation conditions on multiple licensed retailers after citations for sales to minors and dismissed a separate case after reviewing video evidence.

Chair Joan Aquilino called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. and the board immediately turned to several enforcement cases stemming from incidents on Nov. 6, 2025. Commissioner Debbie Burrell moved the principal motions in the contested cases and Commissioner Christopher Glass and Chair Aquilino joined in the votes.

The board fined Los Amigos II $1,500 for a cited sale to a 17-year-old and assessed a $250 administrative fee due within 24 hours. All employees who serve alcohol and the license holder must complete the Violation Prevention Class (VPC); the board set class fee and schedule and required registration within seven days. The board later voted to impose a $3,000 fine with $2,000 suspended and extended Los Amigos’s probation to April 8, 2027; the suspended penalty and a one-week suspension would be imposed if further violations occur. Commissioner Burrell commended the licensee for bringing the server to the hearing: "I would like to commend the licensee for bringing the server with them to the hearing."

Thurmont Liberty received a $1,500 fine and a $250 administrative fee, and the board required the same VPC training and deadlines. The board also approved a $3,000 fine with $2,000 suspended and extended probation to Dec. 4, 2027; the motion passed unanimously.

Gateway Candyland & Liquors was fined $1,500 and assessed the $250 administrative fee and mandatory VPC training. The board approved a $3,000 fine with $2,000 suspended, extended probation to Nov. 27, 2027 and set $1,000 payable within 24 hours; that deferred-judgement motion passed 2–1, with Chair Aquilino voting no.

By contrast, Catoctin Furnace Liquors’ case was dismissed after board members reviewed surveillance footage and concluded the minor engaged the clerk in conversation about wine—a circumstance the board characterized as an extenuating compliance-check situation. The dismissal motion passed unanimously.

Across the enforcement items the board emphasized training: the VPC is required for staff who serve alcohol and for license holders in cases with findings. Failure to complete required training was noted as grounds for return to the board and possible additional penalties. The board recorded motions, seconds, and roll-call votes for each action; most motions passed unanimously, with the Gateway deferred-judgement vote recorded 2–1.

Next steps specified by the board include prompt payment of assessed administrative fees (typically within 24 hours) and completion of VPC training by the stated deadlines; failure to comply will trigger return hearings and imposition of suspended fines or suspensions.