Operation Bad Odds resulted in the arrest of 28 suspects and the confiscation of 48 illicit gambling machines in Central Florida. Some of the suspects are in the country illegally.
During “Operation Bad Odds,” Polk County Sheriff’s undercover investigators investigated persons who possess and run illegal gambling machines in stores around Central Florida, resulting in 28 arrests and the confiscation of 48 illicit gambling machines. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office received assistance in local efforts from the State of Florida Gaming Control Commission and the Auburndale Police Department because two of the facilities were located in their jurisdiction.
The inquiry began with a tip about gambling machines at A-1 Discount Beverage and Discount & Deli, both located on Pilaklakaha Avenue in Auburndale. Undercover detectives went to both locations and discovered the machines hidden in backrooms. Detectives placed bets and won money; the profits were supplied to them by store clerks, and the money was turned over hidden in bankers’ bags, according to law enforcement.
During the inquiry, 11 stores were located, and search warrants were served at all of them; a 12th location was discovered during the execution of a search warrant. At the 12 sites, 28 persons were arrested, 48 gambling machines and two drink coolers were confiscated, and two guns and $100,971 in US currency were recovered. Five suspects are in the country illegally.
The Florida Lottery said that all locations that have been selling lottery tickets will have their sales privileges withdrawn.
“People who gamble on machines like the ones we confiscated are being ripped off,” said Sheriff Grady Judd. “These machines are not programmed for fair play. And the odds are, stores who engage in illegal gambling are at a higher risk of being robbed due to the cash they have on hand. It’s a safe bet that you’re going to jail if you illegally gamble or provide the machines to enable those to illegally gamble.”
According to local law enforcement, the charges were FSS 849.01 (keeping a gambling establishment), FSS 849.231 (possessing a slot machine), and FSS 849.09 (1) (B) (disposing of money via lottery).
Local law enforcement has identified the following stores and suspects, in no particular order:
A1 Discount Beverage – 219 Piliaklakaha Avenue, Auburndale: Store clerk Mayurkumar Jani was detained and charged with operating a gaming establishment. He is in the country illegally, and his charge has been upgraded. He is being held by ICE at the Polk County Jail. Patel Kaushikkumar was arrested and charged with maintaining a gambling house.
Discount & Deli—602 Pilaklakaha Avenue, Auburndale: Sunil Thachukunnel John and Narayana Sarojini were detained and charged with operating a gambling establishment, holding four slot machines, and disposing of money through lottery.
Mohammed Tanin Hossin, co-manager of the Chevron petrol station at 123 Magnolia Avenue in Auburndale, was arrested and charged with operating a gambling house, three charges of keeping slot machines, two counts of disposing of money by lottery, and an out-of-county warrant. He is in the country illegally, and his charges have been upgraded. He has an ongoing Hillsborough County warrant for failing to appear (no valid driver’s license). He is being held by ICE at the Polk County Jail. Nasrin Chowdhury was detained and charged with three counts of owning a slot machine, operating a gambling establishment, and disposing of money through a lottery.
Citgo—2101 K-Ville Avenue, Auburndale: Suman Sarker and Joan Kameka were arrested and accused of operating a gambling establishment, owning a slot machine, and disposing of money through a lottery. Marie Foster was arrested and accused of operating a gambling establishment, possessing a slot machine, disposing of money via lottery, possessing cocaine, and possessing paraphernalia.
Holy Land—329 26th Street SW, Winter Haven: Mohammed Solaiman and MD Abu Musa were arrested and charged with operating a gambling establishment, five charges of owning a slot machine, and disposing of money through a lottery. Solaiman was also charged with possession of cannabis resin.
7 Star Deli and Lotto – 6940 Old Highway 37, Bradley Junction, Maryland Jahangir Alam was arrested and charged with possessing a slot machine and running a gambling house, while Connie Albright was arrested and charged with operating a gambling house. This business had the most cash related to the gaming machines seized, $36,994.
Placita Mexico—1003 S. Rifle Range Rd., Wahneta: Jose Alberto Peralta was arrested and charged with operating a gambling establishment, owning a slot machine, and disposing of money through lottery.
Maria Pedro and Jaquelyne Sanchez-Ramirez, the owners of Tienda Guatemala at 3172 Rifle Range Rd. in Wahneta, were detained. Maria was charged with nine counts of slot machine possession and one count of keeping a gambling house, while Jaquelyne was charged with keeping a gambling house.
Kenneth Halstead, the provider of gaming machines, appeared while cops were on the scene. He was arrested and charged with nine counts of having a slot machine.
Detectives examined Maria and discovered that gaming machines were also present at their other store in north Lakeland. They responded there:
Tienda Guatemala – 450 N. Wabash Ave, Lakeland: Mario Vargas Garcia, Maria’s husband, was arrested and charged with retaining gambling machines, possessing slot machines, and tampering with evidence after removing the machines before cops arrived. He entered the nation illegally from Guatemala, and his charges have been upgraded. He is being held by ICE at the Polk County Jail.
Love’s Truck Stop – 17309 US Hwy 27, Lake Wales: Three machines have been confiscated, and an investigation is ongoing.
Fonda Rodriguez – 1100 US Hwy 17-92, Haines City: When detectives arrived, Jesus Abraham-Martinez and Ricardo Valencia-Pacheco were gambling and were discovered to be in the country illegally. They were arrested and charged with gambling, and they are currently being held by ICE at the Polk County Jail. Jose Rodriguez and Araceli Hernandez were accused of operating a gambling establishment, owning a slot machine, and disposing of money through a lottery. Maribel Hernandez and Lisbeth Guerrero were accused of operating a gambling establishment and owning a slot machine. Sheila Willingham was arrested and accused of gambling.
El Video Latino – 1719 E. Hinson Avenue, Haines City: Salvador Calderon-Gamez and Aaron Calderon were arrested and accused of operating a gambling establishment, owning a slot machine, and disposing of money through a lottery. Elbin Objio-Ramirez was detained and charged with gambling.