False ID operation yields four arrests
–Last week, the San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Office’s Alcohol Compliance Team operated a California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control grant funded program in San Luis Obispo to take enforcement action against the illegal possession of false identification to obtain alcohol. The program dubbed “Operation Trap Door” coordinates with on-sale licensed alcohol establishments to notify law enforcement upon detection of false ID presentation. Once notified, a team of deputy sheriffs specifically trained in ABC enforcement programs responds immediately to detain and arrest those in possession of false ID.
Law enforcement officials and retailers report that the use of false ID contributes significantly to underage alcohol access. “False” identification includes counterfeit and altered ID’s as well as ID’s that are real, but borrowed from another person. Young people easily obtain false ID through various sources increasing the need for enhanced enforcement efforts aimed at curbing illegal ID possession and access to alcohol.
On March 10, between the hours of 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. on March 11, sheriff deputies arrested four persons for possession of false identification during separate incidents at downtown San Luis Obispo restaurants and bars. One arrest was at a restaurant following false ID presentation at the time of meal ordering, the other three arrests resulted from false ID presentation at nightclub establishments during the operational time frame. Two additional false IDs were seized by on-sale establishments and turned over to the ACT team.
The following people were arrested:
- Dalton Thomas Bellini, 20 years old of Patterson
- Kami Donnell Kaba, 20 years old of San Luis Obispo
- Tatiana Rosa Rolph, 18 years old of Pacific Grove
- Lauren Clara Whitman, 20 years old of San Luis Obispo
All four arrestees were released on their signed promise to appear and will be charged through the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office with a misdemeanor. The sheriff’s office will be continuing ABC grant-funded operations through June 30, 2017 unless otherwise extended with additional grant funding. Ongoing programs include minor decoy deployment, shoulder tap operations, on-sale and off-sale licensee monitoring, and further Operation Trap Door merchant coordination.
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