Liquor board fines two retailers after admitted sales to minors

The Frederick County Liquor Board on March 9 accepted admissions from two retail licensees that clerks sold alcohol to minors and voted penalties intended to deter further violations.

At the start of the violations docket, staff said an inspector observed and cited a clerk at RJ Beer & Convenience after an 18‑year‑old bought a six‑pack of Bud Light on Jan. 22, 2026 at about 4:58 p.m. Licensee Rajan Bandari acknowledged the sale during the hearing and said he ‘‘just got lazy’’ and failed to check the customer’s identification. Inspector Harrison and staff entered a notice of violation (Feb. 3) and an incident report (Jan. 22) into the record.

Board staff noted RJ Beer’s licensing history: a prior sales‑to‑minor matter in 2024 had been handled under deferred judgment and remained on the record. Because this was a second recorded offense, staff recommended an increased fine and other sanctions. After discussion — including the licensee’s pledge that the store now cards everyone and uses an ID‑scanning tool — the board applied a $1,500 fine, with $750 due within 24 hours and the remaining $750 payable in equal installments over three months, a $250 administrative fee, mandatory violation‑prevention training for currently working staff (registration required within seven days and completion by June 2), a two‑year probation period, and a one‑week suspension held in abeyance. The motion passed unanimously.

Emittsburg Liquors’ owner Praep Sini and a representative also admitted a Jan. 22, 2026 sale — an 18‑year‑old who purchased a four‑pack at about 5:50 p.m. Staff again cited prior history and recommended penalties for a second offense. Sini described steps the business has taken — signage, POS age‑verification tools (referred to in testimony as ‘‘Token/Trust Works’’), daily reminders and termination of the clerk who made the sale — and asked the board to consider the store’s long history in the community.

Given those representations, the board voted to assess a $1,500 fine and a $250 administrative fee, require the $200 class fee for violation prevention (completion by June 2), and impose conditions related to probation and a one‑week suspension. Because the owners presented mitigation and additional operational safeguards, the board reduced the probation window in this case to one year (through Nov. 27, 2027) and approved a buyback option for the one‑week suspension; the motion passed.

Both licensees were instructed to register for training and were told staff would follow up with a written summary and payment options. Board members repeatedly warned that repeat offenses could lead to suspensions or loss of the liquor license and encouraged owners to vet employees and use regular compliance checks.

What happens next: staff will send each licensee a written summary and timeline for payments and required training; the probation and suspension conditions remain in place while the licensees complete the board‑ordered steps.