Nov 4, 2019

ABC TRACE case leads to arrest of bartender in Sacramento

ABC will be seeking disciplinary action against a bar and a store for selling alcohol to a minor

Sacramento – On November 1, 2019 Agents from The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control arrested Kelly Woodward of Sacramento for furnishing alcohol to a minor resulting in great bodily harm. Woodward is accused of selling/furnishing alcohol to Ainise Taimani (19 years old) of Antioch in the early morning hours of Sunday, May 26, 2019 at the Cinch Bar, located at 8003 Florin Road in Sacramento.

A few hours after she was illegally served alcohol at the bar, Taimani was arrested for gross vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence after crashing the car she was driving on State Route 12 in San Joaquin County. Taimani’s cousin, Tui Talia was a passenger in the car and was killed in the crash.

ABC opened a Target Responsibility for Alcohol Connected Emergencies (TRACE) investigation immediately after the crash to find out the source of the alcohol that was consumed by the underage driver. The cause of the crash was investigated by the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

The ABC agents who worked on the TRACE investigation conducted a series of interviews, examined evidence and were able to determine that Woodward sold alcohol to Taimani at the Cinch Bar. They also discovered that Taimani had purchased alcohol illegally at the Hollywood Market located at 5621 Stockton Boulevard in Sacramento before she went to the Cinch Bar.

ABC will be seeking disciplinary action against the Cinch Bar and Hollywood Market alcoholic beverage licenses for selling alcohol to a minor, a violation of Section 25658(a) of the California Business and Professions Code. The Cinch Bar is a Type 48 licensed premises where minors are not allowed, in addition to the sale to minor violation, the bar is also accused of allowing a minor to enter and remain on the premises. Penalties for both locations range from a suspension up to revocation of the licenses. A penalty has not yet been determined.

The TRACE program is made possible by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration. The grant provides funding for in-depth ABC investigations of serious incidents including car crashes, but also alcohol overdoses, poisonings and assaults involving minors and alcohol consumption. Visit ABC’s website to learn more about TRACE.

The mission of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is to provide the highest level of service and public safety to the people of the State through licensing, education, and enforcement

ABC protects communities through education and by administering prevention and enforcement programs designed to increase compliance with California’s alcoholic beverage laws.

ABC is a department of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.

Contact

Additional information may be obtained by contacting:

Public Information Office
3927 Lennane Drive, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95834
Email: pio@abc.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 419-2525

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