Seven Outlets Caught In Underage Booze Sales Sweep

Valerie Martinez arrested for furnishing alcohol to a minor, drug possession

Humboldt Sentinel
1/1/09
By Sentinel Staff

EUREKA -- Local law enforcement busied themselves on New Year’s Eve with one last compliance check on local businesses, with 26% flunking the test by selling alcohol to decoys under the age of 21.

“The Eureka Police Department would like to commend the twenty local licensees/businesses that were in compliance and prevented the sale of alcohol to a minor,” sergeant Steve Watson stated in an EPD release.

The seven people who did sell alcohol between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. yesterday to underage decoys face a fine of up to $250.00, and/or 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation. In addition, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control may take administrative action against the business’s liquor license. That may include a fine, a suspension of the liquor license, or the permanent revocation of the license.

The businesses subject to penalties include Asia Oriental Market, California Market, Circle K/Union 76 on Sixth Street, Lao Oriental Market, Patriot Gasoline on Fourth Street, Patriot Gasoline on the 4100 block of Broadway and Union 76 on Broadway.

During the operation, a decoy also solicited four adults outside local licensed establishments to get them to furnish alcohol. Of the four, one Eureka woman, 49-year-old Valerie Martinez, was arrested for furnishing alcohol to a minor. Martinez was also subsequently found to be in possession of a controlled substance, and was transported to the county jail on charges of drug possession and probation violation.

The EPD listed these businesses as licensed establishments which refused to furnish alcohol to a decoy: Bonomini’s Market, Broadway 76, Chevron on Broadway, Courthouse Market, C&V Market, Handee Market, Harris and K Market, Harris Street Market on West Harris, Longs Drugs on Myrtle Avenue, N&S Liquors, Patriot Gasoline on the 1700 block of Broadway, Pat’s Market, Performance Fuels, Rite Aid on Harris Street, Shell Gasoline on the 2100 block of Fourth Street, Shell Gasoline on the 1300 block of Fifth Street, Shell Gasoline on the 1400 block of Myrtle Avenue and Stop and Shop Market.