SALT LAKE CITY — Nearly 200 underage minors were issued criminal citations after being found inside a Salt Lake City bar during an investigation last month.
The Utah Department of Public Safety reported 186 minors under the age of 21 were found in the Sugar House Pub on November 22. An investigation was spurred after multiple DUI arrests were linked to the bar earlier in the year.
"We weren’t expecting that many — however our investigation as we had been in there multiple times — we realized that is was a bigger problem than had initially been reported to us," said Lt. Jeff Adams with the State Bureau of Investigation.
Among the minors found inside Sugar House Pub during the month-long investigation were six 17-year-olds. Over 50 fake IDs were also seized and booked into evidence.
Despite all the fake IDs, Adams reiterated that it's up to individual bars to make sure all patrons are of drinking age.
"If that individual looks young, they need to refuse them at the door," explained Adams. "Theres no obligation to allow them to enter their establishment just because they presented an ID."
Neighbors who live near the pun admitted it's hard to point fingers, but made it clear that nearly 200 underage people at the pub is unacceptable.
"We have had so many drunk driving accidents, people getting killed, there has got to be a better way for them to check on their IDs," said Sugar House resident Dee Painter.
For law enforcement, the motivation is to protect young people from alcohol and thr consequences that can come from drinking.
"Our message is we need to come together and make sure that the business owners, the bars and law enforcement, we’re all on the same page, combating this issue and keeping the alcohol out of the hands of our youth," Adams said.
Due to the violations, the bar was submitted to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services for administrative action.
“This operation marks a significant turning point in alcohol enforcement for our state,” said Commissioner Jess L. Anderson.
The agency's Alcohol Enforcement Section within the State Bureau of Identification led investigation efforts and was supported by the Utah Highway Patrol.
