Four arrested for false IDs
–Four people were arrested in San Luis Obispo on Thursday night for possessing false IDs: Jesse Ryan Hynes, 20 years old of Berkeley; Joon Hyok Park, 20 years old of San Luis Obispo; Kendra Nicole Rekevics, 20 years old of San Luis Obispo; and Emily Janice Joachim, 20 years old of San Luis Obispo.
On Thursday, the San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Office’s Alcohol Compliance Team operated a California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control grant-funded enforcement program in San Luis Obispo aimed at combating the illegal possession of false identification to obtain alcohol. The program dubbed “Operation Trap Door” coordinates with on-sale licensed alcohol establishments to notify law enforcement upon detection of false ID presentation.
Once notified, a team of deputy sheriffs specifically trained in ABC enforcement programs and an ABC Agent were available to respond immediately to detain and arrest those in possession of false ID.
Law enforcement officials and retailers report that the use of false ID contributes significantly to underage alcohol access. “False” identification includes counterfeit and altered ID’s as well as ID’s that are real, but borrowed from another person. Young people easily obtain false ID through various sources increasing the need for enhanced enforcement efforts aimed at curbing illegal ID possession and access to alcohol.
On Thursday between the hours of 6 p.m. and 2 a.m. Friday, the ABC Agent and deputy sheriff team arrested four persons for possession of false identification when those illegitimate ID’s were presented at downtown San Luis Obispo nightclub establishments. Two additional false IDs were seized by on-sale establishments and turned over to the ACT team during the operation.
All four arrestees (listed above) were released on their signed promise to appear (citations) and will be charged through the District Attorney’s Office with a misdemeanor.
The sheriff’s office will be continuing ABC grant-funded operations through June 30, unless otherwise extended with additional grant funding. Ongoing programs include minor decoy deployment, shoulder tap operations, on-sale and off-sale licensee monitoring, and further Operation Trap Door merchant coordination.
