Some 200 sweepstakes and video poker machines, along with an undisclosed amount of cash, were seized earlier today and eight individuals charged following the search of four Sampson County businesses that law enforcement officials said were operating as illegal gambling establishments.
Sampson Sheriff’s Capt Eric Pope said the searches were the result of an undercover probe into sweepstakes and video poker operations by Alcohol Law Enforcement and the Sheriff’s Office.
Top Catz, 102 Williams St., Autryville; Roseboro Overstock, 101 East Roseboro St., Roseboro, JMJ Coin Laundry, 206 East MLK Blvd., Roseboro and Clinton Overstock, 912 S. East Blvd., Clinton were searched.
ALE, Pope said, also conducted an inspection of an additional business licensed by the NC Education Lottery. Agents located four video poker machines at Lucky Stop,located at 208 Williams St., Autryville. A violation report is expected to be submitted to the NC Education Lottery Commission documenting the violations.
Those charged were:
• Wanda Faye Milligan (Clinton Overstock), 63, Clinton, charged with 3 counts felonious operating five or more sever-based gaming machines, 3 counts felonious possessing five or more gaming terminals; 8 counts place in operation an electronic machine to promote a sweepstakes that is conducted through entertaining display; and 3 counts gambling. Officers had Milligan listed as the owner of Clinton Overstock; however sources close to her said Milligan had retired, selling the business in November.
• Randall M. Malpass (employee at Clinton Overstock), 54, 6 counts felonious operate five or more sever-based gaming machines; 12 counts place in operation an electronic machine to promote a sweepstakes that is conducted through an entertaining display; and 3 counts gambling.
• Jeffrey Scott Smith (owner Clinton Overstock), 45, Dublin, 2 counts felonious operate five or more server-based gaming machines; 2 counts felonious possess five or more server-based gaming machines; 4 counts place in operation an electronic machine to promote a sweepstakes that is conducted through an entertaining display; and 2 counts gambling.
• James Donald Clark (owner Roseboro Overstock), 68, Roseboro, 6 counts felonious operate five or more sever-based gaming machines; 6 counts felonious possess five or more gaming terminals; 12 counts place in operation an electronic machine to promote a sweepstakes that is conducted through an entertaining display; and 6 counts gambling.
• Sandra Alcott Clark (owner Roseboro Overstock), 61, Roseboro, 6 counts felonious operate five or more server-based gaming machines; 6 counts felonious possess five or more gaming terminals; 12 counts place in operation an electronic machine to promote a sweepstakes that is conducted through an entertaining display; 6 counts gambling.
• Tommy Nguyen (owner of JMJ Coin Laundry), 41, Roseboro, 3 counts felonious operate five or more server-based gaming machines; 3 counts gambling.
• Nicholas Maurice Maness (manager Top Catz), 37, Robbins, 6 counts felonious operate five or more server-based gaming machines; 10 counts place in operation an electronic machine to promote a sweepstakes that is conducted through entertaining display; and 5 counts gambling.
• Sultan Albadani (employee Lucky Stop), 19, Salemburg, 1 count gambling.
According to a release issued by the Sheriff’s Department late Thursday night, the county law enforcement agency partnered with ALE to conduct the searches.
“ALE received a request from assistance from the Sheriff’s Department after they received multiple complaints,” noted ALE Special Agent in Charge Jason Locklear. “We initiated a plan to address the illegal operation of these gambling establishments.”
Locklear said the establishments were operating machines that are illegal to possess. “These operations have no oversight or checks and balances to ensure citizens are protected from criminal activity related to fraud and other crimes.”
Three of the five businesses, he pointed out, were visited on June 30 and informed that the continued operation of illegal gaming machines would be at their own risk.
In all 22 Sheriff’s Office employees and 21 ALE agents were involved in today’s raids, that is about a third of the entire ALE statewide, Pope pointed out.
“We value the working relationship with ALE and we will continue to investigate illegal operations such as these,” Sheriff Jimmy Thornton asserted.
The investigation, Thornton said, is continuing. “We expect additional arrests and charges,” he noted.
