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Florida Police Seize Illegal Machines, Arrest Owners4 September 2001FLORIDA – Sept. 4, 2001 –As reported by the Florida News Herald: "Casino owners Katherine E. Deyampert, 41, Evelyn L. Wilson, 31, and Melissa T. Carter, 33, were arrested and charged with keeping a gambling house, a third-degree felony. The arrests were the culmination of a three-week joint investigation by the Panama City Beach Police Department and the Florida Department of Alcohol and Beverage. "…Police Capt. Michael Moring said the State of Florida licensed the casino as a video arcade, which permits games like Pac Man, but does not allow video slot machines. "`If you win you get gift certificates,' Moring said. `Apparently, they think they can skirt the letter of the law by not awarding cash and awarding gift certificates, but that's illegal. You can't award anything with a cash value.' "…A dozen people were in the game room when police raided the premises at 1 a.m. on Labor Day. Some of the confused patrons put their cigarettes out and their hands up as officers entered the building and locked the door. "…Customers were detained while officers ran background checks and were then allowed to leave without citation. "Security guard Richard J. Miranda, 47, was arrested and charged with being an agent of the gambling house and possession of three tablets of Oxycotin. Police also had an outstanding warrant for Miranda for failing to pay his child support. "…Casino attendant Steve Brock, 26, estimated that police seized over $6,000 in cash and that the video machines are worth about $3,000 each…" |