4-2102-6338-6

 

                               STATE OF MINNESOTA

                       OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

 

                           FOR THE COUNTY OF MORRISON

 

 

 

In the Matter of Disciplinary Actions                    FINDINGS QF FACT,

Against the On-Sale Liquor Licenses of:                  CQNCLUSIONS AND

Roger M. Pedley d/b/a Little Falls                       RECOMMENDATION

Morrison County Bowling Center;

Joseph Virnig d/b/a Channel Inn Resort;

Jerry's Supper Club, Inc. d/b/a Jerry's  Supper Club;

Bradley & Ann Peterson d/b/a 12 Mile Tavern;

D & K Ludovissie, Inc. d/b/a Lin Club

Lawrence G. Wiegele d/b/a Castaway Supper Club;

Dennis Perkins d/b/a The Bullshippers II

Parlak Corporation d/b/a Good Time Charlies;

Morrill Food & Liquor;

Ralph Freeman d/b/a Country Hearthside Inc.;

Gordon K. Wheeler d/b/a Camp Ripley Store, Bar & Grill;

Michael T. & Carole J. Dickson d/b/a The Crews Inn;

Richard E. Schavey d/b/a 37 Acres;

The Canteen Supper Club, Inc. d/b/a The Canteen;

Carl F. VonderHaar, Von's Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a

Oaks Char Broiler.

 

 

    The above-entitled matter came on for hearing before  Administrative  Law

Judge Peter C. Erickson on April 15, 16 and 17, 1992, in the Morrison  County

Courthouse, Little Falls, Minnesota.  By agreement of the parties, the

disciplinary actions against each of the fifteen establishments referenced

above were consolidated for purposes of this hearing.  Although the  facts  of

the violation alleged to have been committed by each of the establishments  was

litigated separately, evidence "common" to all or some of the  establishments

was not duplicated in the record.

 

    Conrad I. Freeberg, Morrison County Attorney, Government Center,  213  S.E.

First Avenue, Little Falls, Minnesota  56345-3196, appeared on behalf of

Morrison County with respect to the disciplinary action against each of the

establishments listed above.  Michael K. O'Tool, Attorney at Law,  1380  Frost

Avenue, Maplewood, Minnesota 55109, appeared on behalf of each of  the  fifteen

establishments referenced above.  The record on this matter closed on May 19,

1992, the date of receipt of the last post-hearing memorandum.

 

    This report is a recommendation only, not a final  decision.  The  Morrison

County Board of Commissioners will make the final decision after a review  of

the record and may adopt, reject, or modify the Findings of Fact, Conclusions

and Recommendation contained herein.  Pursuant to Minn.  Stat.  14.61, the

 


final decision of the County Board shall not be made until this report has

been made available to the parties to the proceeding for at least ten days.

An opportunity must be afforded to each party adversely affected by  this

report to file exceptions and present argument to the County  Board.  The

parties should contact Morrison County Auditor, Russ Nygren, Administration

Building, Morrison County Courthouse, Little Falls, Minnesota, to ascertain

the procedure for filing exceptions or presenting argument.

 

                              STATEMENT OF ISSUES

 

     The issues to be determined in this contested case proceeding are:

 

     1.   What is the appropriate standard of proof which the County must meet

in order to prove the allegations herein?

 

     2.   With respect to each of the fifteen referenced  establishments,  did

the Licensee or an employee make a sale of intoxicating liquor to a  minor  in

violation of Minn.  Stat.  340A.503, subd. 2(l)?

 

     3.   If an illegal sale of alcoholic beverages by a Licensee  is  proved,

what is the appropriate disciplinary action be taken against that Licensee?

 

     4.   Was the conduct of the Morrison County Sheriff's Department in these

cases so outrageous as to deny the license holders their right to due  process

of law under the 5th and 14th Amendments to the United States Constitution and

Article I, Sections 2 and 7 of the Constitution of the State of Minnesota?

 

     5.   Whether any illegal sales of alcoholic beverages proved herein  were

induced by the actions of the Morrison County Sheriff's Department  and  their

decoys, thus constituting illegal entrapment?

 

     Based upon all of the proceedings herein and the arguments of counsel,

the Administrative Law Judge makes the following:

 

                               FINDINGS-OF FACT

 

     1.   Each Licensee referenced above in the caption of this case has  held

its on-sale liquor license since sometime prior to November of 1991 and

continues to be the license holder at the present time.

 

     2.   During the summer and early fall of 1991, Morrison County Sheriff

Paul M. Tschida received a number of complaints, some being anonymous, that

some on-sale bars in Morrison County were selling alcoholic beverages to

minors.  Consequently, in October of 1991, Sheriff Tschida decided to

investigate these complaints through an undercover operation using underage

individuals as "decoys" to attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages at bars  in

rural Morrison County.

 

     3.   The parties stipulated that each of the deputy sheriffs involved  in

the undercover operation was acting at the direction of Sheriff Tschida and

each had the same knowledge of the liquor laws that the Sheriff had.

 

     4.   Sheriff Tschida chose to use an undercover operation because he

believed it was the most effective methodology to detect illegal sales of

 

 

                                     -2-

 


intoxicating beverages and was a commonly-used practice in the enforcement of

liquor laws.   He hired Peggy Block, a twenty year-old white female (d/o/b

7-10-71) and Wayne Heath, then an eighteen year-old white male (d/o/b 12-6-72)

to work as undercover agents or decoys.  Neither of these decoys had any

special training in law enforcement or undercover work.    However, Ms.  Block

was a full-time dispatcher for the Morrison County Sheriff's  Department  and

Mr. Heath was a law enforcement student at Bemidji State College.

 

     5.   Sheriff Tschida met with both Block and Heath to give them oral

instructions as to how they were to conduct the undercover investigation.  He

instructed both decoys to proceed with a deputy to the various liquor

establishments in the County and enter the bar by themselves, without the

deputy.  Block and Heath were instructed to act normally and ask to be served

an alcoholic beverage.   They were told not to offer any identification, to lie

about their age if asked, and not to consume the alcoholic beverage.  The

Sheriff gave Block and Heath funds with which to purchase beverages they

ordered and were served.   They were told to bring a sample of the beverage

they purchased out of the bar, either in the original container or in a sample

bottle provided by the Sheriff.   These beverage samples and containers were to

be given to the deputy who would be waiting a short distance from the

establishment.   Block and Heath performed their functions independently; they

each went to different bars.   However, Peggy Block was accompanied by her

twenty-three year-old boyfriend when she made purchases at some of the

establishments.

 

     6.   Both Block and Heath wore casual clothing which included jeans,

shirts, sweaters, and jackets when performing the undercover functions.

Neither wore a disguise or any special makeup.

 

     7.   No law enforcement agent accompanied the decoys when they entered

the licensed establishments.   No audio or visual recording of the sales of

intoxicating beverages was made by the decoys or the Sheriff's Department.

The Sheriff decided that it was best not to immediately confront the "sellers"

as it might impair the effectiveness of the continuing operation.

 

     8.   Sheriff Tschida instructed the deputies who were assigned to work

with the decoys to properly tag and preserve evidence that the decoys brought

out of the bars and to write an investigative report after learning what

happened in the bar from the decoy.   Approximately thirty-four bars were

targeted for this undercover investigation.

 

    9.    The undercover operation began in early November of 1991 and was

completed in January of 1992.  This investigation was undertaken  in  response

to a series of unsolicited complaints rather than an immediate reaction to  a

specific problem in any particular bar or bars.   The Sheriff had received

specific complaints about some of the establishments included in the

undercover operation but there had been no recent criminal charges issued

against any of the Licensees herein.

 

    10. Pursuant to Sheriff Tschida's instructions, deputies  did  not  enter

an establishment immediately after an allegedly illegal sale was made in an

attempt to identify the seller except on one occasion.   Rather, the decoys

were brought back to the establishment several days later in an attempt to

identify the person who allegedly sold them alcoholic beverages.

 

 

 

                                      -3-

 


     11. Sheriff Tschida was  familiar  with  all  applicable  statutes  regarding

the sale and purchase of alcoholic beverages.      Sheriff Tschida and his

deputies were and are aware that Minn.  Stat.   340A.503,  subd.  2(3),  makes  it

illegal to induce a person under the age of  twenty-one  years  to  purchase  or

procure alcoholic beverages.

 

     12.   Samples of the beverages purchased by  the  decoys  were  submitted  to

the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for chemical testing.       The

fifteen samples submitted for each of the bars  herein  were  found  to  contain

more than 3.2 percent alcohol by weight.

 

     13.  After completion of the  undercover  operation,  Sheriff  Tschida  and

the Morrison County Attorney determined that  no  criminal  charges  would  be

pursued, rather, only a civil remedy would be sought before the Morrison

County Board of Commissioners with respect to the on-sale liquor licenses.       On

January 21, 1992, Sheriff Tschida informed the Morrison County Board of

alleged illegal sales by the fifteen  establishments  herein  and  requested  that

the Board suspend each of the liquor licenses for  five  days,  from  March  1

through March 5, 1992, and fine each Licensee $300.00.     None of  the  Licensees

had been informed that these allegations would  be  discussed  at  the  County

Board meeting.  Consequently, none of Licensees herein attended or

participated in any manner at the meeting.

 

     14.  The Board of Commissioners took the action requested by

Sheriff Tschida and informed each Licensee, by  mail,  that  their  liquor  license

would be suspended from March 1 to March 5, 1992,  and  that  a  $300.00  fine

would be imposed.    The Licensees were further informed  that  they  could  request

a hearing on the Board's action.     Subsequently, all fifteen  of  the  Licensees

requested a hearing on the Board's proposed  action.  The  Board  then  decided  to

hire an Administrative Law Judge from  the  Minnesota  Office  of  Administrative

Hearings to conduct the hearings and make findings and a recommendation

regarding appropriate disciplinary action.     The Licensees herein are aware

that the County will not bring any criminal action against  them  as  a  result  of

the allegedly illegal sales of alcoholic beverages  which  are  the  subject  of

this hearing.

 

     15.  On March 10, 1992, a Notice and Order for  Hearing  was  served  on  each

of the Licensees herein by first class mail.     Michael O'Tool,  Attorney  at  Law,

filed a Notice of Appearance on behalf of each Licensee.

 

 

Roger M, Pedley d/b/a Little Falls_Morrison County Bowling Center

 

     16. Roger Pedley is the Licensee  for  the  Little  Falls  Morrison  County

Bowling Center, which he has operated for the last sixteen years.       Neither  he

nor any of his employees have ever been convicted of or charged with any

violation of the state liquor laws  during  that  time.  The  Sheriff's  Department

has not had any complaints filed against this establishment.      Bowling

comprises the major part of Mr. Pedley's business but he also serves food,

liquor, and has a game room.    Consequently, Mr. Pedley  has  many  customers  in

his establishment under the age of twenty-one but  he  instructs  all  of  his

employees to be careful when serving alcoholic beverages  to  be  sure  that  the

persons served are twenty-one.     He instructs his employees that if  they  are  in

 

                                        -4-

 


doubt, to ask for identification.

 

     17. On the evening of January 17, 1992, Wayne Heath was  transported  to

the Little Falls Morrison County Bowling Center by Deputy Sheriff Alan  Mersy

in an unmarked squad car.  Mr. Heath was wearing a coat, shirt, jeans and

cowboy boots.  Mr. Heath is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs  approximately  240

pounds.  At approximately 8:30 p.m., Wayne Heath entered the lounge  area  in

the bowling center and walked up to the bar.  At that time, he was  the  only

one in the bar area with the exception of two waitresses.  A  female  waitress

behind the bar asked Mr. Heath if she could help him and Mr. Heath ordered  a

Stroh's Lite.  The waitress brought Mr. Heath a bottle of Stroh's Lite  and  he

paid for the beer.  The waitress did not ask Wayne Heath how old he was  or  for

any identification.  The person who sold the beer to Heath was a  white  female

with dark hair covering her neck, about 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 7  inches

tall, and wore dark glasses.

 

     18. Immediately after receiving the beer, Heath went to  the  restroom

where he transferred a sample of the purchased beer into a small  plastic

container provided by the Sheriff's Department.  A short time  later,  Heath

left the bar with the sample and the bottle of Stroh's Lite in his jacket

pocket.  Mr. Heath turned the sample container and Stroh's Lite bottle  over  to

Deputy Mersy who was waiting nearby in the squad car.  Heath told  Mersy  what

had transpired in the bar and gave him a physical description of the  female

bartender.  Deputy Mersy marked both the plastic sample bottle and  the  Stroh's

Lite bottle which had been emptied.

 

     19.  On January 24, 1992, Wayne Heath returned to the Little Falls

Morrison County Bowling Center with Deputy Mersy.  Heath entered the  bar  area

alone and saw the person who sold him the beer on January 17,  1992.  Heath

exited the bar and described the seller to Deputy Mersy who then entered  the

establishment and identified the seller as Faith Mitchell, an employee of  the

Licensee.

 

 

Joseph Virnig d/b/a Channel Inn Resort

 

     20. Joseph Virnig is the Licensee and owner of the Channel  Inn  Resort.

Since he has owned the business, there have been no charges filed against  him

or any of his employees for violations of the liquor statutes.  No  "official"

complaints have been lodged against him or his business with the exception  of

a small number of anonymous complaints phoned into the Morrison County

Sheriff's Department.  Mr. Virnig instructs his employees not to serve

alcoholic beverages unless they are sure the person is of legal age to  make

the purchase.  This establishment is located in a rural area and  the  employees

usually know most of their customers.  The Channel Inn Resort is a  bar,  dance

hall and restaurant.

 

     21. On November 16, 1991, Deputy Sheriff Gerald Pasch met  Wayne  Heath

and proceeded in a marked squad car to a location approximately  one-quarter

mile from the Channel Inn Resort.  At approximately 9:22 p.m.,  Mr.  Heath

entered the establishment and sat on a stool next to the bar.  Mr.  Heath

ordered a Stroh's Lite from the bartender and was given a can of Stroh's  Lite

which he paid for.  Wayne Heath was not asked his age or for any  form  of

identification.  Immediately after receiving the can of beer, Heath  went  to

 

 

 

                                      -5-

 


the restroom and poured some of the beer into a plastic sample  bottle.  A

short time later, Heath left the bar with the sample and a partially-filled

can of Stroh's Lite beer.  Mr. Heath gave the two containers to the deputy

sheriff and described to the deputy what had happened inside the bar.

 

     22.  The person who sold the beer to Wayne Heath was a male,

approximately 6 feet tall with shoulder-length brown hair, a mustache  and

glasses.  The bartender was approximately twenty-five to thirty years  of  age,

weighed approximately 175 pounds, and was dressed in jeans and a  T-shirt.

 

     23. Deputy Pasch marked the plastic sample container and the  can  of

Stroh's Lite beer which had been emptied onto the ground.

 

     24. On November 22, 1991, Wayne Heath returned to the Channel  Inn  Resort

with Deputy Sheriff Randy Simonson.  Mr. Heath entered the bar  and  identified

the bartender, Joseph Virnig, as the bartender who had served him on

November 16.

 

     25.  On November 16, 1991, Joseph Virnig had switched shifts with his

brother, Dan, who was a co-owner at that time.  The Judge  specifically  finds

that either Joseph Virnig or Dan Virnig was the bartender who sold beer to

Wayne Heath on November 16, 1991, without asking for identification.

 

 

Jerry's Supper CLub, Inc. d/b/a Jerry's Supper Club

 

     26. Jerry's Supper Club is a restaurant and lounge located  in  rural

Morrison County.  Jerry Witt has owned this business for the past twelve

years.  During that time, neither he nor any of his employees have  ever  been

convicted of or charged with any violation of the state liquor laws.  In

addition to the bar and restaurant business, Mr. Witt also has banquet

facilities for groups up to 325.  Mr. Witt instructs his employees  to  request

identification from bar patrons if there is any doubt as to whether or not  the

patron is twenty-one years old.  Mr. Witt has sent his employees  to  training

courses for instruction in the areas of "carding" and how to deal with

intoxicated patrons.

 

     27. On November 15, 1991, Wayne Heath met Deputy Sheriff  Michael  Wetzel

and proceeded to Jerry's Supper Club in a marked squad car.  At  approximately

8:22 p.m., Mr. Heath entered the establishment and went to the bar area  where

he sat down on a stool.  There was one female bartender working at  that  time.

Mr. Heath ordered a Stroh's Lite beer from the bartender who served it to  him

in a returnable bottle.  Mr. Heath paid for the beer but was not asked  his  age

or for any form of identification.  The bartender working that night  was  Karen

Jacobson, Jerry Witt's daughter.

 

     28. After being served the beer, Mr. Heath went to the  restroom  and

poured some beer from the bottle into the plastic sample container.  A  short

time later, Wayne Heath left the bar with the plastic sample container  which

was turned over to Deputy Wetzel waiting nearby in the squad car.  Wayne  Heath

gave a physical description of the bartender to Deputy Wetzel.  The plastic

container was marked by Deputy Wetzel at that time.

 

 

                                     -6-

 


     29. On November 29, 1991, Wayne Heath returned to Jerry's  Supper  Club

with Deputy Simonson.  Mr. Heath entered the bar but did not  recognize  the

bartender who had been working on November 15.  Deputy Simonson  entered  the

bar and talked to the owner, Jerry Witt, who stated that Karen Jacobson  had

been working on that night.  Ms. Jacobson admitted working on  November  15,

1991, in response to a phone call by Deputy Simonson.  Ms. Jacobson has

managed Jerry's Supper Club for twelve years and worked as a cook,  waitress

and bartender during that period of time.

 

 

Bradley & Ann Peterson d/b/a 12 Mile Tavern

 

     30. The 12 Mile Tavern is a bar and restaurant located in  rural  Morrison

County.  Bradley and Ann Peterson are the Licensees and owners of this

establishment which they have operated for approximately three  years.  During

that time, neither they nor any of their employees have been convicted of  or

charged with a violation of the state liquor laws.  However,  the  Sheriff's

Department has received anonymous complaints concerning activities at the  12

Mile Tavern.

 

     31. The 12 Mile Tavern consists of a bar area, game area  and  dining-room

area.  The Petersons instruct their employees to card every patron  who  does

not look at least twenty-five years old.

 

     32.  On November 21, 1991, Peggy Block met Deputy Simonson and they

proceeded to the 12 Mile Tavern in an unmarked squad car.  After  they  arrived,

Ms. Block entered the bar alone and sat on a bar stool.  A  waitress/bartender

approached her and asked her "if she could get her something."  Ms. Block

ordered a Stroh's Lite and was served by the waitress without any inquiry  as

to her age or identification.  Ms. Block paid for the beer and shortly

thereafter, exited the bar with the can of beer and gave it to the deputy  who

was waiting nearby in the squad car.  Deputy Simonson poured some of  the  beer

into a plastic sample container and poured out the rest on the ground.

 

     33. After Ms. Block described the appearance of the bartender  to  Deputy

Simonson, he entered the bar and identified an employee, Pamela Koska, as  the

individual who had sold the beer to Block.  Ms. Koska admitted  selling  the

beer to Block at that time.

 

     34.  Pamela Koska has been bartending at the 12 Mile Tavern for

approximately two years and has attended schools to learn how to judge the  age

of patrons and otherwise comply with the Minnesota liquor laws.

 

 

D & K Ludovissie Inc. d/b/a Lin Club

 

     35.  The Lin Club is a supper club and bar located in rural Morrison

County.  Dennis Ludovissie has owned the Lin Club for approximately five

years.  During that time, neither he nor any of his employees have  ever  been

convicted of or charged with a violation of the state liquor laws.  The

Sheriff's office has not received any complaints concerning any activities  at

the Lin Club in the recent past.

 

 

                                      -7-

 


     36    On November 21 , 1991 , Peggy Block met Deputy  Simonson  and  they

proceeded  to the Lin Club in an unmarked squad car.  At approximately 11:00

p.m., Ms.  Block entered the establishment and walked up to the bar.  A male

bartender  walked up to Block and asked her "if he could help her".  Ms. Block

then ordered a Stroh's Lite and was served by the bartender without inquiry as

to her age or whether she  had  any  identification.  The  bartender  brought

Ms. Block a returnable bottle and poured some of the beer into a glass.  Right

after she was served, Ms. Block went into the bathroom with the glass of beer

and poured some into a plastic sample container.  She then returned to the

bar, set the glass down, and left the building.  Ms. Block gave Deputy

Simonson the plastic sample container and told him what the bartender looked

like.

 

     37.  Deputy Simonson marked the sample container and then entered the Lin

Club to identify the bartender who sold Ms. Block the beer.  After looking

around, Deputy Simonson identified Dennis Ludovissie as the individual who had

sold Ms. Block the beer.  Ludovissie was the only person in the bar at that

time.

 

    38.  Dennis Ludovissie admitted making the sale to Ms. Block but did not

card her because he thought she was at least twenty-five years old.

 

 

Lawrence G. Wiegele d/b/a Castaway  Supper Club

 

    39.  The Castaway Supper Club is a supper club/bar located in rural

Morrison County.  Lawrence Wiegele  is the Licensee and has owned the

establishment for approximately one and one-half years.  During that time,

neither he nor any of his employees have been convicted of or charged with a

violation of the state liquor laws.  The Sheriff has not received any

complaints concerning activities at  this establishment at any  time  in  the

recent past.  Mr. Wiegele instructs  his employees to use their own judgment

with respect to carding patrons.

 

    40.  On November 21, 1991, Peggy Block met Deputy Simonson and proceeded

to the Castaway Supper Club in an unmarked squad car.  At approximately 11:30

p.m., Ms. Block entered the establishment and walked up to the bar.  A

bartender approached her and asked if he could get her anything.  Ms. Block

ordered a Stroh's Lite and was served by the bartender who did not ask her how

old she was or if she had any form of identification.  However, the bartender

appeared to be nervous and somewhat hesitant when he  served  Ms.  Block  the

beer, some of which was poured into a glass by him.

 

    41.  After serving the beer to Block, the bartender asked her how old she

was and Block replied that she was twenty-one.  The bartender then asked her

for identification but Block responded that she did not have anything with

her.  The bartender asked a woman who was seated next  to  Ms.  Block  if  she

thought Block was old enough and that patron stated that she thought she

(Ms.  Block) was.

 

    42.  Peggy Block went to the bathroom with the glass of beer and poured

some of it into the plastic sample container.  She then returned to the bar,

put the glass down, and left the bar with the plastic container.  Ms. Block

gave the container to Deputy Simonson and described to him the bartender who

 

 

 

                                      -8-

 


had served her.

 

     43.  Deputy Simonson entered the bar and based upon the description given

to him by Block, identified Jeff Burtyk as the bartender who sold the beer to

Block.  At that time, Mr. Burtyk admitted to Simonson that he had sold the

beer to Peggy Block.  Burtyk stated to Simonson that he "knew he screwed up; I

shouldn't have served her."

 

 

Dennis Perkins d/b/a The Bullshippers II

 

    44.  The Bullshippers II is a bar and dance hall located in rural

Morrison County.  Dennis Perkins is the Licensee and has owned the

Bullshippers II since September 3, 1991.  Since that date, neither he nor any

of his employees have been convicted of or charged with violations of the

state liquor laws.  However, the Sheriff's Department has received some

complaints regarding activities at that establishment.  Mr. Perkins instructs

his employees that if they don't know the person is over age twenty-one, to

card them.  A "bouncer" is stationed at the door on weekends to check I.D.s

and mark those persons who are under twenty-one.

 

    45.  On November 9, 1991, Wayne Heath met Deputy Sheriff Bruce Motes and

proceeded to the Bullshippers II.  At approximately 9:30 p.m., Mr. Heath

entered the establishment, went up to the bar, and ordered a Stroh's Lite.  He

was served the beer by a bartender and was not asked his age or if he had any

identification.  Mr. Heath observed the bartender waiting on other patrons

when he was in the bar.  Heath then left the establishment with the full can

of beer and gave it to Deputy Motes who poured some into an evidence bottle

and poured the rest on the ground.

 

    46.  Wayne Heath described the bartender to Deputy Motes as a white male,

approximately 6 feet tall, with shoulder-length brown hair, and weighing

approximately 160 pounds.

 

    47.  On November 22, 1991, Wayne Heath returned to the Bullshippers II

with Deputy Simonson.  At that time, Heath could not identify anyone working

in the establishment as the bartender that sold him the beer on November 9.

Simonson went into the bar and talked to Dennis Perkins who told him that

Heath's description does not fit any of the bartenders employed by the

Licensee at that time.

 

 

Parlak Corporation d/b/a Good Time Charlies

 

    48.  Good Time Charlies is a bar located in rural Morrison County.

Ronald W. Parsons has owned and operated the establishment for approximately

fourteen years.  Although no previous charges have been filed against Mr.

Parsons or any of his employees, the Sheriff's Department has received

complaints concerning activities at the establishment.  Good Time Charlies

seats approximately 120 persons and has a pool and game room.

 

    49.  On November 9, 1991, Wayne Heath met Deputy Motes and proceeded to

Good Time Charlies.  At approximately 9:35 p.m., Mr. Heath entered the

establishment and sat on a stool at the bar.  A female bartender approached

 

 

 

                                    -9-

 


and Mr. Heath ordered a Stroh's Lite.  The bartender served  Mr.  Heath  without

asking his age or for any identification.  Mr. Heath was able  to  identify  the

bartender as an individual named "Tammy", approximately 5 feet 8  inches  tall,

with blond hair, weighing approximately 140 pounds.  Mr. Heath  paid  for  the

beer and then went to the bathroom.  There, he poured some of the  beer  out  of

the can into a plastic sample container and then took both the can and the

plastic bottle back to Deputy Motes who was waiting outside of the bar.

Deputy Motes marked both the sample container and can of Stroh's  Lite  which

was emptied on the ground.

 

     50. On November 22, 1991, Wayne Heath and Deputy  Simonson  returned  to

Good Time Charlies to try to identify the bartender who had served Wayne  Heath

on November 9. At that time, based upon the description and  name  supplied  by

Heath, Deputy Simonson identified Tamara Jasper as the bartender who  sold  the

beer.  Ms. Jasper admitted that she had worked on November 9,  1991,  but  was

not able to recall selling beer to anyone of Heath's description.

 

 

Morrill Food & Liquor

 

     51.  Morrill Food & Liquor is a corporate Licensee which has held the

license for approximately ten years.  This establishment is  a  bar,  restaurant

and dance hall located in rural Morrison County.  Ken Foss is the

owner-operator of the establishment.  There had been one prior  criminal  charge

against the Licensee in 1987, and the Sheriff's Department has received  more

recent complaints concerning activities at the establishment.

 

     52. On November 8, 1991, Wayne Heath met Deputy Motes and  they  proceeded

to Morrill Food & Liquor.  At approximately 10:30 p.m., Mr.  Heath  entered  the

establishment and went up to the bar.  He ordered a Stroh's Lite  beer  and  was

served without being asked his age or for any identification.  The  bartender

was a white male, approximately thirty to thirty-five years old, 5 feet 8

inches tall, with light-brown hair and a mustache.

 

     53. Mr. Heath did not drink the beer but went to the  restroom  to  pour

some of the beer out of the bottle into a plastic sample container.  A  short

time later, Heath left the bar with the plastic container and the  bottle  of

Stroh's Lite beer.  Both the plastic container and bottle of beer  were  given

to Deputy Motes who was waiting nearby in a squad car.  Mr. Heath gave a

physical description of the seller to Deputy Motes.

 

     54. On November 22, 1991, Wayne Heath returned to Morrill  Food  &  Liquor

with Deputy Simonson.  At that time, Mr. Heath did not identify  any  bartenders

who were working as the one that sold him the beer on November 8.

 

     55.  Deputy Simonson entered the bar on November 22 and, based on the

description given to him by Heath, was told by the bartender who was  working

that the individual must have been Kenneth Foss.  Kenneth Foss  had  worked  the

evening of November 8, and fit the description given by Wayne Heath.

 

 

Ralph Freeman d/b/a County Hearthside Inc.

 

    56. The Country Hearthside is a restaurant and lounge  located  in  rural

 

 

 

                                     -10-

 


Morrison County.  Ralph Freeman is the Licensee and has owned and operated the

establishment for the past nine years.  During that time, neither he  nor  any

of his employees have ever been convicted of or charged with any violation of

the state liquor laws.  One anonymous complaint was made to the Sheriff's

Department in the recent past, however.

 

     57.  On November 22, 1991, Wayne Heath met Deputy Simonson and they

proceeded to the Country Hearthside in a squad car.  At approximately 8:30

p.m., Mr. Heath entered the establishment and sat down at the bar.  At that

time, he asked the bartender for a Stroh's Lite, but was given a Miller  Lite

instead by the bartender.  Mr. Heath paid for the beer and was never asked his

age or for any identification.  The bartender was Ralph Freeman, the bar

owner.

 

     58.  After being served, Wayne Heath went to the restroom and poured a

portion of the beer out of the bottle into a plastic evidence container.

Heath then left the bar and gave both the sample container and bottle to

Deputy Simonson who placed a marking on each.

 

     59.  Deputy Simonson then entered the bar and identified Ralph Freeman as

the bartender who had made the sale to Wayne Heath.  Mr. Freeman admitted

making the sale at that time.  However, Mr. Freeman made the sale  because  he

thought Wayne Heath looked at least twenty-one years old.  Mr. Freeman

considered carding Heath after he served him but Heath had already left the

bar.

 

Gordon K. Wheeler d/b/a Camp Ripley Store Bar & Grill

 

    60.  The Camp Ripley Store, Bar & Grill is a bar, cafe, grocery store and

gas station located in rural Morrison County.  Gordon Wheeler has  owned  this

establishment for approximately the past eleven years.  During that time,

neither he nor any of his employees have been charged with or convicted of  a

violation of the state liquor laws.  However, the Sheriff's Department has

received complaints concerning activities at the establishment in the  recent

past.

 

    61. On November 9, 1991, Peggy Block met Deputy Sheriff  Daniel  Eastvold

at the Sheriff's Department before beginning an evening of undercover

operations at several bars in Morrison County.  On this evening, Ms. Block was

accompanied by her twenty-three year-old boyfriend, Ron Beam.  Beam and  Block

drove to the Camp Ripley Bar & Grill followed by Deputy Eastvold.

 

    62.  At approximately 8:50 p.m., Peggy Block and Ron Beam entered the

Camp Ripley Bar & Grill.  Both went in and sat at the bar.  A female bartender

approached and asked if she could "help".  Peggy Block ordered two Stroh's

Lites and after the bartender told her they did not have Stroh's Lite, she

ordered two "regular" Stroh's.  Ron Beam was seated to Ms. Block's right at

that time.  The bartender returned with the two beers and placed them  between

Block and Beam.  Ms. Block paid for the beers.  Ms. Block was not asked her

age or to produce any identification.

 

    63.  The person who sold the beer to Peggy Block was a white female,

approximately thirty years old, medium height, wearing lots of makeup with

 

 

                                    -11-

 


shorter brown hair which came to about the middle of her neck.

 

     64. Peggy Block did not drink any of the beer but rather went  to  the

restroom to transfer part of the bottle of beer into a plastic sample

container.  A short time later, Block and Beam left the bar with  the  sample

and the remainder of the bottle of Stroh's beer.  This evidence  was  turned

over to Deputy Eastvold who was waiting a short distance away in the  squad

car.  At that time, Ms. Block gave a description of the bartender  to  Deputy

Eastvold.

 

     65. Deputy Eastvold marked both the plastic sample container  and  the

bottle of Stroh's beer.

 

     66. On December 5, 1991, Peggy Block returned to the Camp  Ripley  Bar  &

Grill with Deputy Simonson.  When they pulled into the  parking  lot,  Simonson

saw Gordon Wheeler in the lot and talked to him about the November 9  sale  to

Block.  At that time, Mr. Wheeler stated that the bartender on November  9  was

his only female bartender, Lynn Davidson.  Ms. Davidson had been  working  at

the bar on November 9, 1991.

 

     67.  The Camp Ripley Bar & Grill is located directly across the road from

the main gate of the Camp Ripley Military Reservation.  It is common for there

to be a lot of foot traffic to the bar, often with persons carrying beer  back

and forth.

 

 

Michael T. & Carol J. Dickson d/b/a The Crews Inn

 

     68.  The Crews Inn is a bar and restaurant located in rural Morrison

County.  Although there have been no previous charges filed against the

Licensees, the Sheriff's Department has received several anonymous  complaints

concerning activities at the establishment in the recent past.

 

    69. On November 9, 1991, Peggy Block and Ron Beam  met  Deputy  Eastvold

approximately one-quarter mile south of the Crews Inn.  At  approximately  9:25

p.m., Ms. Block and Mr. Beam entered the establishment and Ms. Block paid  a

$2.00 cover charge for each of them at the door.  Neither was asked  their  age

or for identification at that time.  Peggy Block walked up to the bar  and  sat

down on a stool while Mr. Beam went to the bathroom.  A bartender  approached

Ms. Block and asked her if he could get her something.  Ms. Block  ordered  two

Stroh's Lite beers but because they did not have Stroh's Lite, she ordered two

bottles of "regular" Stroh's.  At approximately this time, Mr. Beam  returned

to the bar and sat down next to Peggy Block.  The bartender did not ask

Ms. Block how old she was or for any identification.  The bartender took  the

order and returned with the two beers which Ms. Block paid for.  Ms. Block

realized at this time that the bartender was the owner, Mike Dickson.

 

    70.  After being served the beers, Ms. Block went to the restroom to pour

some of the beer out of the bottle into a small plastic sample container.  A

short time later, Block and Beam left the bar with the sample container.  This

container was turned over to Deputy Eastvold who was waiting a short  distance

away in a squad car.  Ms. Block gave a physical description of the seller  to

Deputy Eastvold.  The deputy marked the sample container containing  the  beer.

 

                                     -12-

 


     71. On December 5, 1991, Peggy Block returned to the Crews  Inn  with

Deputy Simonson and identified Michael Dickson as the bartender who had  sold

her the beer on November 9.

 

 

Richard E. Schavey d/b/a 37 acres

 

     72. 37 Acres is a bar and resort located in rural  Morrison  County.

Richard Schavey has owned the establishment for approximately three years.

During that time, neither he nor any of his employees have ever been  convicted

of or charged with any violations of the state liquor laws.  However,  the

Sheriff's Department has received some complaints concerning activities at  the

establishment and on one occasion responded to a complaint concerning

after-hours sales.  Mr. Schavey instructs all of his employees that if they

have any doubt concerning a patron's age, to make sure they ask for

identification.

 

     73.  On November 9, 1991, Peggy Block and Ron Beam met Deputy Sheriff

Eastvold at the 37 Acres bar.  At approximately 11:00 p.m., both  Beam  and

Block went into the establishment and sat down at the bar.  A  female  bartender

approached and asked if she could get them anything.  Ms. Block ordered two

Stroh's Lite beers and was served by the bartender.  Ms. Block paid for the

beers and was never asked her age or to produce any identification.

 

    74. The bartender was a white female, approximately 5  feet  3  inches

tall, and somewhat heavy-set.  She had blond hair, longer than shoulder

length, and had a tattoo on her right forearm.  During the time that  Block  and

Beam were there, the bartender stayed behind the bar and waited on  other

customers.

 

    75. After being served, Ms. Block went to the restroom to pour  a  sample

of the beer into a small plastic container.  A short time later, Block and

Beam left the bar with the sample container and an empty can of Stroh's beer.

This evidence was turned over to Deputy Eastvold waiting a short distance  away

in a squad car.  Deputy Eastvold marked the plastic sample container and  took

a description of the bartender from Ms. Block.

 

    76. On December 5, 1991, Peggy Block and Deputy Simonson went to  the  37

Acres bar so that Ms. Block could attempt to identify the bartender who had

served her on November 9.  At that time, Ms. Block did not see the bartender

who had served her.

 

    77. After Ms. Block told Deputy Simonson that she could  not  identify  the

bartender, the deputy went into the bar himself and talked to the  owner,

Richard Schavey.  Mr. Schavey informed Simonson that Denise Drentlaw had  been

working on November 9. Simonson contacted Drentlaw on the phone  and  she

admitted that she had worked the evening of November 9.

 

 

The Canteen Supper Club, Inc. d/b/a The Canteen

 

    78. The Canteen is a bar and supper club located  in  rural  Morrison

County.  Elmer Schaffer is the owner-operator of this establishment and has

done so for the past fifteen years.  During that time, there has been one

 

 

 

                                    -13-

 


violation of state liquor laws in 1986 and recent complaints have been

received by the Sheriff's Department concerning activities at the

establishment.  The Canteen is a large bar with a game area, and dance area

with tables.  This bar will hold approximately 135 people.

 

     79.  On November 9, 1991, Peggy Block and Ron Beam met Deputy Sheriff

Eastvold approximately two miles away from The Canteen,  Ms. Block and

Mr. Beam went to the bar and entered it at approximately 10:45 p.m.  They put

their coats at a table and Ron Beam sat down at the table.  Peggy Block went

to the bar alone and a bartender asked if she could get her something.

Ms. Block ordered two Stroh's Lite beers and was served by the  bartender.

Ms. Block paid for the beers and returned to Ron Beam at the table with the

beers.  Ms. Block was never asked her age or to produce any identification.

 

     80.  The bartender who served Peggy Block was a white female,

approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, slim with sandy-brown feathered  hair.

 

     81.  Ms. Block went to the restroom with her can of beer and poured some

into a small plastic container and emptied the rest.  She returned  to  the

table and left with Mr. Beam.  Ms. Block gave the plastic container and the

empty can to Deputy Eastvold who marked both of them as evidence.  In

addition, Ms. Block gave a description of the bartender to the deputy.

 

     82.  On December 5, 1991, Peggy Block and Deputy Simonson went to The

Canteen so that Ms. Block could attempt to identify the bartender who  had

served her on November 9.  Deputy Simonson talked to the owner, Elmer

Schaffer, who told him that Jenny Hoskins fit the description given to him and

had been working as a bartender on November 9, 1991.

 

    83.  The Canteen is located directly across the gate from Camp Ripley and

does a substantial "on-foot" business.

 

 

Carl F. VonderHaar, Von's Enterprises.  Inc.  d/b/a Oaks Char Broiler

 

    84.  The Oaks Char Broiler is a supper club and lounge located in rural

Morrison County.  Carl VonderHaar is the owner of the corporation which holds

the license and Gary VonderHaar has been the manager of the  establishment

since 1986.  There have never been any charges filed or convictions of any

employees of the business concerning violations of state liquor laws.  The

Morrison County Sheriff's Department has not received any recent complaints

concerning any activities at the establishment.  The manager instructs his

employees to use their own judgment with respect to carding patrons but to

card unless the customer looks like they are at least twenty-three or

twenty-four.

 

    85.  On November 9, 1991, Peggy Block and Ron Beam met Deputy Sheriff

Eastvold approximately one-half mile from the Oaks Char Broiler.  At

approximately 9:50 p.m., Mr. Beam and Ms. Block entered the establishment and

went to the bar and sat on stools.  The bartender asked if she could get them

something and Ms. Block ordered snack-food and two Stroh's Lites.  The

bartender placed the food order and brought Ms. Block the two beers without

asking her age or for any identification.  Ms. Block paid for both the food

and beer when they left.

 

 

 

                                     -14-

 


     86.  After being served the food and beer, Ms. Block went to the bathroom

with her glass of beer and poured some into a small plastic container.  She

returned to the bar and left the rest of the beer in the glass.

 

     87.  The bartender was a white male, approximately fifty years old, wore

dark glasses and had slicked-back black hair.  The bartender talked with both

Block and Beam during the time they were at the bar.

 

     88.  After leaving the bar, Peggy Block gave the plastic sample container

to Deputy Eastvold who marked it as evidence.  Additionally, she gave the

deputy a description of the bartender.

 

     89.  On December 5, 1991, Peggy Block returned to the Oaks Char Broiler

with Deputy Simonson.  Both went into the bar and Deputy Simonson spoke with

the manager, Gary VonderHaar.  At that time, he stated he had been working on

November 9 and Ms. Block identified him as the bartender who had served her.

 

 

 Applicable Rules, Statutes and Constitutional Provisions

 

          Minn.  Rule 1400.7300.

 

          Subp. 5. Burden of proof.  The  party  proposing  that

          certain action be taken must prove the facts at  issue  by

          a preponderance of the evidence, unless the substantive

          law provides a different burden or standard.  A party

          asserting an affirmative defense shall have the  burden  of

          proving the existence of the defense by a preponderance

          of the evidence . . . .

 

          340A.415.  License revocation or suspension.

 

          The authority issuing or approving any retail  license  or

          permit under this chapter shall either suspend for  up  to

          60 days or revoke the license or permit or impose  a  civil

          fine not to exceed $2,000 for each violation on  a  finding

          that the license or permit holder has failed to comply

          with an applicable statute, rule, or ordinance relating

          to alcoholic beverages.  No  suspension  or  revocation

          takes effect until the license or permit holder  has  been

          afforded an opportunity for a hearing  under  sections

          14.57 to 14.69 of the administrative procedure act . . .  .

 

          340A.501.  Responsibility of licensee.

 

          Every licensee is responsible for the  conduct in  the

          licensed establishment and any sale of  alcoholic  beverage

          by any employee authorized to sell alcoholic  beverages  in

          the establishment is the act of the licensee . . . .

 

          340A.503.  Persons Under 21:  Illegal Acts.

 

          Subd. 2.  Purchasing.  It is unlawful for any person:

 

                                      -15-

 


(1) to sell, barter, furnish, or give alcoholic beverages

to a person under 21 years of age:

 

(2)  under the age of 21 years to purchase or attempt to

purchase any alcoholic beverage: or

 

(3)   to induce a person under the age of 21  years  to

purchase or procure any alcoholic beverage, or to lend or

knowingly permit the use of the person's driver's

license, permit, Minnesota i dent if i cat i on card, or other

form of identification by a person under the  age  of  21

years for the purpose of purchasing  or  attempting  to

purchase an alcoholic beverage.

 

Subd. 6.  Proof of age; defense.

 

(a) Proof of age for purchasing  or  consuming  alcoholic

beverages may be established only by  a  valid  drivers

license or Minnesota identification card, or in the case

of a foreign national by a valid passport.

 

(b)  In a prosecution under subdivision 2, clause (1), it

is a defense for the defendant to prove by a

preponderance of the evidence that the defendant

reasonably and in good faith relied upon representations

of proof of age authorized in paragraph (a) in selling,

bartering, furnishing, or giving the alcoholic beverage.

 

 

                U.S. Constitution

                   5th Amendment

 

No person shall be  . . .  deprived  of life, liberty,  or

property, without due process of law . . .

 

                  14th Amendment

 

Sec. 1.  Citizenship rights not to be abridged by states.

 

Section 1.   All persons born or naturalized in the United

States,  and  subject to the jurisdiction  thereof,  are

citizens  of  the United States and of the  State  wherein

they reside.  No State shall make  or  enforce  any  law

which  shall  abridge the privileges or immunities of

citizens  of  the United States: nor shall any State

deprive  any  person of life, liberty, or property,  without

due  process  of law; nor deny to any person within  its

jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                             -16-

 


                         Minnesota Constitution

                               Article One

                              BILL OF RIGHTS

 

           Section 2.   Rights and privileges.

 

           Sec.  2.   No  member of this state shall be disfranchised

           or   deprived  of any of the rights or privileges secured to

           any   citizen  thereof, unless by the law of the land or the

           judgment   of  his peers . . .  .

 

           Section 7.   Due process; prosecutions; double jeopardy;

           self-incrimination; bail; habeas corpus.

 

           Sec. 7.  No person shall be held to answer for a criminal

           offense without due process of law, . . . nor be deprived

           of life, liberty or property without due process of law.

 

 

     Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact, the Administrative Law Judge

makes the following:

 

                                     CONCLUSIONS

 

     1.    The Morrison County Board of Commissioners and the Administrative

Law Judge have jurisdiction in this matter pursuant to Minn.  Stat.  340A.415

and 14.50. The Notice of  Hearing  was  proper  in  this  matter  and  the  Board  has

complied with  all  relevant  substantive  and  procedural  requirements  of  law  and

rule.

 

     2.    The appropriate standard  of  proof  which  the  County  must  meet  to

prove that  the  Licensees  herein  sold  alcoholic  beverages  to  persons  under

twenty-one years of age is preponderance of the evidence.

 

     3.    The County has proved, by a preponderance of the evidence, that each

of the fifteen Licensees herein sold an alcoholic beverage to a person under

twenty-one years of age.

 

     4.    The conduct of the Morrison County Sheriff's Department in these

cases was not so outrageous as  to  deny  the  license  holders  their  right  to  due

process of  law  under  either  the  United  States  or  Minnesota  Constitutions.

 

     5.    Entrapment has not been proved by any of the Licensees herein.

 

     6.    A monetary fine  (perhaps  in  an  amount  which  will  compensate  the

County for the costs of this proceeding) and minimal suspension (one day of

the  Licensees'  choosing)  would  be  an  appropriate  disciplinary  action  with

respect to each Licensee herein.

 

     7.    The Memorandum below is incorporated by reference herein.

 

     Based  upon  the  foregoing  Conclusions,  the  Administrative  Law  Judge  makes

the following:

 

                                         -17-

 


                                 RECOMMENDATION

 

     IT IS RESPECTFULLY RECOMMENDED that the Morrison County Board take

disciplinary action against each of the Licensees herein consistent with the

Findings of Fact and Conclusions set forth above.

 

Dated this 10 day of June, 1992.

 

 

 

 

                                        PETER C. ERICKSON Administrative Law Judge

 

                                    NOTICE

 

     It is respectfully requested that the Morrison County Board mail a copy

of its final decision in this case to the Administrative Law Judge.

 

 

                                  MEMORANDUM

 

    The Licensees argue that because the disciplinary action proposed herein

is based upon a violation of a criminal statute, those violations must be

proved beyond a reasonable doubt.  The Licensees acknowledge, however,  that

they have no statutory or case authority which requires that anything other

than a preponderance of the evidence be used in a civil proceeding such as

this.  The Judge has been able to find one reported Minnesota case which

addresses this issue in a dissenting opinion, Recommendation for Discharge of

Kelvie, 384 N.W.2d 901, 907 (Minn.  App. 1986) (the majority opinion did not

address this issue).  In Kelvie, Chief Judge Peter Popovich stated clearly

that proof by a preponderance of the evidence of conduct which would

constitute a criminal violation was sufficient in an administrative proceeding

to constitute grounds upon which to take disciplinary action against an

employee.  A criminal conviction was not necessary; even an acquittal of the

criminal offense would not preclude the administrative action.  lee, cases

cited in Judge Popovich's dissent.  The Judge has relied on Judge Popovich's

analysis and the Rules of the Office of Administrative Hearings which

specifically provide that facts must be proved by a preponderance of the

evidence unless the substantive law provides a different burden.  Minn.  Rule

1400.7300, subp. 5.

 

    Using the "preponderance of the evidence" burden, it is clear that all of

the Licensees violated Minn.  Stat.  340A.503, subd. 2(l), with the possible

exception of Bullshippers II.  When Wayne Heath returned to Bullshippers  II

with Deputy Simonson, he could not identify anyone working in the

establishment at that time as a bartender that sold him the beer and no

employee of the establishment could be identified based on Heath's

description.  However, when Heath purchased the beer on November 9, 1991, the

bartender that served him was waiting on other patrons besides Heath who were

at the bar.  It was obvious to Mr. Heath that the person who served him  the

beer was working at the bar at that time.  The Judge has concluded that  the

 

 

 

                                     -18-

 


individual who served Mr. Heath on November 9, 1991, at the Bullshippers  II,

was working at the establishment on that night and authorized to sell

alcoholic beverages to the public.  Consequently, the Licensee must be held

responsible.  See, Minn.  Stat.  340A.501. In all of  the  other  fourteen

cases, either the sale was admitted by a bartender, the bartender was

identified by Heath or Block at the bar, or the description of the  bartender

matched an employee of the Licensee.

 

     The Licensees next contend that the conduct of the Morrison  County

Sheriff's Department in these cases was so outrageous that due process

guaranteed by both the United States and Minnesota Constitutions has been

denied to the license holders.  The Licensees cite Hampton v.  United  States,

425 U.S. 484, 96 S.Ct. 1646 (1976), wherein the court held that the concept  of

fundamental fairness inherent in due process requirements will prohibit the

conviction of a defendant if the conduct of the government in participating  in

or inducing the commission of the crime is sufficiently outrageous.  However,

in Hampton, the defendant's conviction for the illegal sale of drugs  was

upheld even though the court determined that government agents both  supplied

the illegal drug to the defendant and then purchased it from him.  The  court

found in that case that the due process rights of the defendant had not  been

violated.

 

     The Licensees argue that because the Morrison County Sheriff's  Department

employed persons (Block and Heath) who were under twenty-one years old to

attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages in the undercover operation, they

violated Minn.  Stat.  340A.503, subd. 2(3).  In addition, each  decoy  violated

Minn.  Stat.  340A.503, subd. 2(2), when they purchased alcoholic beverages  in

each of these cases.  The Licensees contend that these allegedly  criminal  acts

are so outrageous that their due process rights have been violated and  these

actions should be dismissed.

 

     In State v. Morris, 272 N.W.2d 35 (Minn. 1978), the Minnesota Supreme

Court adopted the fundamental fairness concept contained in Hampton  and

applied it to the case under appeal.  In Morris, the court  stated  that,

"Although the Supreme Court [Hampton] has not articulated any useful  standards

for application of the defense, it is clear that there will be few cases in

which the defense will succeed."  272 N.W.2d at 36.  The Judge, quite simply,

does not find or conclude that the Morrison County Sheriff's  Department

committed any "outrageous" conduct herein.  Rather, the Sheriff devised  a  very

straightforward plan using an eighteen and twenty year-old as  undercover

agents to determine whether Morrison County bars would serve alcoholic

beverages to those agents without requiring identification.  The  record  does

not show that any type of deceit or disguise was used to fool an  unwary

bartender.  Although Ms. Block's twenty-three year-old boyfriend  did  accompany

her on some bar visits, it was Ms. Block who did the ordering and paid for  all

purchases.  The Judge does not find any "outrageous" conduct herein.1

 

 

 

 

   In Morris, the court considered the appeal of a prostitution conviction

where the undercover agent lied about his status as a police officer  and

exposed his penis to the defendant in order to convince her that he was not a

police officer.  The court found that neither the deceit nor the  act  of

exposure was sufficiently outrageous to bar the prostitute's  conviction.

 

 

 

                                     -19-

 


     Lastly, the Licensees argue that each was entrapped into  committing  the

violation alleged herein.  In order to show entrapment,  the  Licensees  must

establish that a governmental agent induced the defendant to commit the

violation.  If inducement is shown by the defendant, then  the  complainant  must

prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was disposed to  commit  the

violation in order to excuse the inducement.  State v. Grilli, 230 N.W.2d  445,

452 (Minn. 1975); Jacobson v. United States, 112 S.Ct. 1535  (1992).  In  order

to prove inducement, the evidence must show  that the government did  something

more than merely solicit the commission of a crime.  State  v.  Olkon,  299

N.W.2d 89 (Minn. 1980).  In OlKon, the court stated that,  "Something  in  the

nature of persuasion, badgering, or pressure  by the state must occur  before

the inducement element is satisfied."  299 N.W.2d at 107.  In Sorrells v.

United-States, 287 U.S. 435 (1932), the Supreme Court stated that, "It  is  well

settled that the fact that officers or employees of the government merely

afford opportunities or facilities for the commission of the offense  does  not

defeat the prosecution.  Artifice and stratagem may be employed  to  catch  those

engaged in criminal enterprises." 287 U.S. at 441.  The  Sorrells  court  went

on to state that entrapment occurs when law enforcement officials  "implant  in

the mind of an innocent person the disposition to commit the  alleged  offense

and induce its commission in order that they may prosecute." 287  U.S.  at  442.

 

     In these fifteen liquor license cases, the Judge has concluded  that  the

Morrison County Sheriff's Department did no more than present  the  opportunity

for the fifteen Licensees to commit the violation alleged.  There  was  no

unusual action, deceit or improper conduct on the part of the decoy or

Sheriff's Department which would make these sales any less culpable  than  a

sale to any other eighteen or twenty year-old.  It was the Judge's own

observation that both Peggy Block and Wayne Heath appeared to  be  between

nineteen and twenty-three years of age.  Neither had the  appearance  of  someone

who was obviously over twenty-one years of age.  The Licensees offered no

evidence to show "persuasion, badgering, or pressure" by the decoys  when  the

purchases were made.  Olkon, supra.  Because there is  no  proof  of  inducement,

the issue of predisposition need not be addressed.  However, in  each  of  the

fifteen establishments herein Block and Heath were readily served  by  the

bartender or waitress.  Only once was there a question  raised  concerning  age

(Castaway Supper Club), but that was after Ms. Block had already  been  served.

The Judge has concluded that there was no entrapment in any of  the  fifteen

cases herein.

 

    None of these cases involve allegations of a repetitive course of

conduct.  Although complaints had been lodged by the public  against  some  of

the fifteen establishments in the recent past, most of the  complaints  were

anonymous and no charges had been filed with respect to the complaints.

Testimony from the Licensees herein have convinced the Judge that each  makes  a

good-faith effort to ensure that underage patrons are not  served  alcoholic

beverages.  Each tries to enforce "carding"  policies.  Additionally,  some  of

Licensees candidly stated that they sincerely believed Mr. Heath or  Ms.  Block

was over twenty-one and served them based on that belief.  The  Judge  feels

that only minimum disciplinary action is warranted in  these  cases.  However,

because it is clear that violations of Minn.  Stat.  340A.503, subd.  2(l)  did

occur, it would be appropriate to impose a fine against each of  the  fifteen

 

 

 

                                     -20-

 


Licensees which collectively amounts to the cost of these proceedings.

Additionally, a one-day suspension on a day of the Licensees' choosing would

be appropriate.  Normally, the Judge would not make a recommendation for

specific disciplinary action.  However, both parties indicated that the Judge

would be in the best position to make a specific suggestion to the County

Board.

                                      PCE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                    -21-