The St. Mary's County Alcohol Beverage Board convened on February 1, 2025, to address a recent incident involving underage alcohol sales at the Green Door bar. The meeting focused on the testimony of law enforcement officials regarding a compliance check conducted on October 10, 2014, where a confidential informant, aged 19, was allegedly served alcohol.

Corporal Stone detailed the operation, explaining that the informant was given $10 to purchase a drink. Upon entering the bar, she was asked for her ID, which she provided—a military ID that was checked by bartender Leah Barry. The informant ordered a screwdriver, paid with the cash, and received $7.50 in change after the drink was served. Photographs taken by the informant documented the transaction and the bartender.

During the meeting, board members raised concerns about the lack of direct witnesses to the purchase. Deputy Steinbeck, who was present outside the bar, confirmed that he did not see the ID or the transaction itself. The defense argued that without direct evidence of the sale, it was difficult to establish a violation.

The board discussed the implications of the incident, including the challenges of verifying military IDs, which may not be as familiar to bar staff as standard driver's licenses. The bar's owner acknowledged that the bartender had not attended the RASP training program but indicated that staff had since participated in training following the incident.

After deliberation, a motion was made to determine whether a violation occurred. The board ultimately concluded that a violation had taken place, citing the evidence presented, including the informant's testimony and the photographs. The board's decision underscores the importance of stringent ID checks and compliance with alcohol regulations to prevent underage drinking in St. Mary's County.