The only store to appeal its fine for selling tobacco to minors agreed to pay its penalty Tuesday in Dedham District Court.

On July 24, a contractor for the Dedham Health Department conducted a compliance check of all 37 stores in the town that sell tobacco, 11 of them sold to minors and were fined $100 each.

The owner of Four Corners Citgo on the corner of Rivers and Milton streets, Michael LeBlanc, tried to appeal his fine because he said he believed not a store shouldn't be fined for carding a young person who legitimately looks 21 years old.

"I was hoping the first time could be a warning," he said Tuesday.

The magistrate decided against a warning and told LeBlanc to pay the fine, and that if he didn't pay it within 20 days it would become a criminal case.

LeBlanc said he would pay immediately.

The operation occurred on July 24, and the young man who purchased the cigarettes was 17 years old, according to the report.

LeBlanc said he has been in operation for five years and has never received a fine. He added that he has told his employees to make sure that the buyer looks 21, if they look under, then they should be carded. After the fine, he said, his new rule is to card anyone that looks under 27.

After the hearing, LeBlanc said that didn't believe the Dedham Health Department was picking on anyone and looks forward to working with them in future.

"It's a process," he said.

Cathy Cardinale, Dedham's director of health, represented the town in the hearing, said the town paid for the 'compliance check' through a state grant called the Massachusetts Tobacco Control Grant.