Nine people were taken into custody following a recent court-ordered search of a grocery shop and gas station in Arkansas.
In addition, deputies took from the two Earle, Arkansas, establishments over $9,000 in cash, two weapons, suspected marijuana, and fourteen gambling machines.
Tennessee TV station WHBQ identified the companies as Valero Service Station on Highway 64 and Stein's Grocery and Market on Arkansas Street.
After receiving information regarding suspicious activity at the two locations, the Crittenden County Sheriff's Office opened an investigation. Authorities obtained a warrant from a local magistrate for the gambling raids on May 15 after collecting evidence over several months.
Mohamed Ali Ismail, 41, of Earle was one among those detained; the local media named him as the manager of the Valero station and the proprietor of Stein's. According to Tennessee TV station WREG, he was accused of running a gambling house on two separate occasions.
While Ricky Howard, a cashier at Stein's, was charged with possessing a firearm by a specific individual with a prior conviction for domestic battery, another suspect, Charles Townsend, 44, of Memphis, Tennessee, was charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and possession of marijuana.
Saad B. Ghaled, 18, who is thought to live in Memphis, was also taken into custody, according to WREG. His charges were not made public right away.
The following suspects have been named: Annie Henderson, Daryl McKenzie, Lisa Brooks, Raiah Ladelle Smith, and Ruthie Oliver. They are all accused of employing gambling devices.
Local prosecutors were given the cases. Deputies may make additional arrests in this case as of this week.
Employee of a Casino Agrees to Plea Deal
As part of a plea agreement, a worker at the Wendover Nugget Casino in Nevada was recently given a lesser charge.
On May 15, Maria E. Hernandez Perez, 51, entered a plea of not guilty to petty theft in Elko Justice Court, as reported by the Elko Daily Free Press. Her initial charges were stealing and/or conspiracy to embezzle. Information on the embezzlement was not immediately accessible.
Judge Randall Soderquist imposed a five-day jail term with suspension on Hernandez Perez at the appearance in court. She also has to reimburse the gaming property $132.50.
Hernandez Perez also has to stay out of legal issues for a period of six months.
In relation to the thefts, Erika Collazo Gonzales and Maria Hernandez Perez were the other two suspects who were taken into custody on May 1. Their local court proceedings are still pending.
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