The Caroline County Board of License Commissioners found Red Light Liquors (Robin Ritter, licensee) in violation of state and county law after an undercover compliance check on Aug. 15, 2025, and imposed a $2,500 fine and a 30‑day suspension to begin after the 30‑day appeal period.

The board’s alcoholic beverage inspector testified that two confidential informants under the age of 21 entered Red Light Liquors on the evening of Aug. 15. The inspector said one confidential informant purchased a six‑pack of Smirnoff Ice after an employee, identified in the report as Logan McHenry, examined a Delaware license and completed the sale without properly verifying age. The inspector provided photographs of the purchase, the marked bills and the identification, and said the employee later acknowledged reading an incorrect date on the ID.

The board charged Red Light Liquors with violating section 6‑304 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article) and Caroline County Board of License Commissioners rule 2.26 (sale to a person under 21). Attorney Robert “Bob” Thornton represented the licensee and argued that the sale occurred during a series of coincidences — a part‑time worker in the store who was familiar to staff briefly used the register — and urged the board to consider the business’s long record and mitigation. The inspector and other witnesses testified that the on‑site staff initially failed to detect the vertical (under‑21) out‑of‑state license.

During deliberations commissioners noted two prior, relatively recent underage‑sale enforcement actions involving the same establishment and discussed the limits of fines and suspensions under state law. The board set the penalty at the statutory maximum fine of $2,500 and a 30‑day suspension, with the suspension’s start date scheduled after the statutory 30‑day appeal window (beginning Nov. 23, 2025, as stated in the meeting). The board’s counsel advised that a licensee may file for a stay and legal support for any request would be considered at the next board meeting before the suspension begins.

The board’s decision directs staff to issue a written order and to notify the licensee of appeal rights and the timeline for seeking a stay. The board did not revoke the license.

The board also discussed operational safeguards urged by counsel and the inspector, including consistent employee training on vertical/state ID recognition and use of scanners or registers to verify date of birth. The board chair said the penalties reflect concern about repeated underage‑sale incidents and public‑safety risk.

The case record and exhibits — including the inspector’s incident report, confidential informant affidavits and photographs — were entered into the board file.