Clerks in Craig, Fairbanks charged with selling alcohol to minors

ANCHORAGE (AP) -- The Alcoholic Beverage Control Board and Alaska State Troopers conducted age compliance checks in two locations last week, including one in rural Alaska, and charged three clerks with selling to underage buyers.

Troopers in Klawock used a volunteer under the age of 21 in a sting operation Friday on Prince of Wales Island.

The volunteer attempted to buy alcohol at six liquor stores in Klawock, Coffman Cove and Craig and was successful once.

Troopers said a clerk at Young's Liquor Store in Craig, 26-year-old Hope Latimer, was charged with furnishing an alcoholic beverage to a person under the age of 21.

On Friday and Saturday, statewide drug enforcement investigators conducted age compliance checks at 21 businesses in Fairbanks and Delta Junction. Clerks at two were charged with furnishing an alcoholic beverage to a person under the age of 21.

Troopers said Hans Fischer, a clerk at an Oaken Keg Liquor Store in Fairbanks, and Linda K. Smith, 55, of Salcha River Lodge, were charged.