Alcohol server caught violating underage drinking laws

In a recent government meeting, the Saint Mary's County Alcohol Beverage Board addressed a significant violation involving Kennedy Skye Correlli, an employee at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. Correlli was found to have served an alcoholic beverage to a minor during a compliance check conducted by the Saint Mary's County Sheriff's Office.

On March 21, 2024, a confidential informant, aged 18, was sent into the restaurant as part of an alcohol enforcement operation. The informant, accompanied by Sergeant Robert Merritt, ordered a strawberry mimosa and was served by Correlli without any request for identification to verify her age. This oversight directly contravenes Maryland's alcoholic beverage regulations, specifically violations of the state's code and local rules.

Following the incident, Sergeant Merritt notified Deputy Stephen Myers of the Alcohol Enforcement Unit, who subsequently approached Correlli to inform her of the violation. Correlli acknowledged her mistake and expressed regret for not checking the informant's identification. The incident has prompted the board to summon both Correlli and the establishment's licensees to address the violation formally.

The board's discussions highlighted the importance of strict adherence to age verification laws in the sale of alcoholic beverages, emphasizing the potential consequences of such violations for both employees and establishments. The meeting concluded with an invitation for board members to pose questions regarding the incident and its implications for local alcohol enforcement practices.