NORTH COAST, Calif. – A Clearlake man and two Ukiah residents were cited earlier this week for allegedly purchasing alcohol for minors.

Aristeo Lares-Gonzalez, 36, of Clearlake was cited along with Ukiah residents Jeffrey Murray, 29, and Christopher Knowles, 46, according to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.

On Sunday, Aug. 26, Mendocino County Sheriff's deputies conducted an Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) decoy shoulder tap operation in the Calpella and Ukiah areas, according to Capt. Kurt Smallcomb.

Smallcomb said the Decoy Shoulder Tap Program is an enforcement program ABC and or local law enforcement agencies use to detect and deter shoulder tap activity.

During the program, a minor decoy – a person under 21 – under the direct supervision of law enforcement officers solicits adults – 21 years of age or older – outside ABC licensed stores to buy the minor alcohol beverages, he explained.

Any person observed furnishing alcohol to the minor decoy is arrested and either cited or incarcerated at the county jail for providing alcohol to a minor, Smallcomb said.

During the operation, the minor decoys were deployed outside ABC licensed stores in the Calpella and Ukiah areas, Smallcomb said.

The decoys contacted several people during the operation, Smallcomb said. Most of the people contacted properly dismissed the minor decoys requests.

In the Calpella area, Lares-Gonzales was observed purchasing and furnishing alcohol beverages to the minor decoys and he was cited, Smallcomb said.

In the Ukiah area, both Jeffrey Murray and Christopher Knowles were observed purchasing and providing alcohol beverages to the minor decoys. Smallcomb said both men were cited.