One Freeborn County business sold an alcoholic beverage to an underage buyer during Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office compliance checks earlier this month.

According to a news release, the Sheriff’s Office conducted checks at 18 businesses. The American Legion bar in Emmons failed the check, while all others passed.

The compliance checks were completed on establishments that sell or vend alcoholic beverages over a period of days and were completed on Nov. 8.

A check is performed by sending an adult under the age of 21 into an establishment to attempt to purchase alcohol. A failure occurs when alcohol is sold or served to the underage buyer.

The release states underage buyers working for the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office are required to carry a photo ID, usually their Minnesota driver’s license and are instructed to show that ID if asked for by the sales person.

The front of a Minnesota driver’s license displays a red banner over the picture stating “Under 21” to make age identification easier for clerks or bartenders to determine age.

Selling or providing alcohol to a person under 21 is a gross misdemeanor. Businesses that fail the compliance checks are also subject to civil penalty, according to the release.