NVID Keeps Pressure on Illegal Game Rooms

Corpus Christi Police Department

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS (News Release) - Detectives with the CCPD Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division continued their drive to eradicate illegal gambling within the Corpus Christi city limits by serving multiple search warrants Wednesday afternoon at two illegal gambling establishments on the city’s northwest. Following a months-long investigation into the businesses that uncovered evidence of illegal gambling, Detectives secured search warrants for two separate unnamed game rooms located at 11217 Leopard Street, Suite A and Suite B. During the searches, NVID Detectives seized a large amount of gambling equipment, over $10,000.00 cash, and other evidence of illegal gambling.

Arrested at Suite A was game room employee 55-year-old Molly Miller. She was charged with Gambling Promotion, Keeping a Gambling Place, and Possession of a Gambling Device. Miller was additionally charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance when officers found a small baggie of drugs on her during her arrest on the gambling charges.

At Suite B, Detectives arrested 59-year-old Guadalupe Harvey and Leticia Torres, 43, on charges of Gambling Promotion, Keeping a Gambling Place, and Possession of a Gambling Device. Torres was additionally charged with Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon (handgun). A total of nine patrons were cited for Gambling, a Class C misdemeanor.

Yesterday’s raids came on the heels of a NVID search warrant last Wednesday at the Lucky Spin game room, 2330 Airline Road, where Detectives arrested 26-year-old Alysah Fernandez for Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, Gambling Promotion, Keeping a Gambling Place, Possession of a Gambling Device, and violation of the Nueces County Game Room Ordinance. In that instance, Detectives seized a sizeable quantity of illegal gambling equipment, over $10,000 cash and a vehicle.

Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity and Possession of a controlled substance are state jail felonies punishable by up to two years in jail and a maximum $10,000 fine, while the Gambling charges are class A misdemeanors.

All three investigations are ongoing, and additional arrests are possible. The Corpus Christi Police Department reminds citizens that game rooms which pay out cash rewards, or rewards that can be immediately redeemed for cash are engaging in illegal gambling. Patrons as well as the management of these establishments may face criminal charges.

NVID Detectives were assisted in these operations by officers with the CCPD Directed Patrol Unit and Traffic Section, along with investigators with the State of Texas Comptroller’s Office, which regulates coin operated machines.