WADESBORO, N.C. — Special agents with North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement arrested nine people Monday in Anson County at several retail outlets where illegal gambling machines were seized.
In North Carolina, it is illegal for anyone or any corporation to own, operate or play any machine or device that entitles the user to money or anything of value, according to a statute.
[Robber shot to death by security guard inside sweepstakes parlor]
“Gambling can be addictive and destructive. It’s caused bankruptcies, divorces and suicides,” said Chris Poole, ALE’s special agent in charge of the Gaming Section. “State legislators outlawed gaming machines to protect vulnerable citizens, and ALE is the lead agency in enforcing these laws.”
Wadesboro Police Chief Thedis Spencer requested ALE’s help due to multiple complaints.
“Ever since these gaming machines came, we’ve seen crime going up -- robberies, domestic issues and embezzlement cases,” Spencer said. “ALE’s enforcement action today will put a deterrent on any other video gaming operators trying to come into the area with their get-rich-quick schemes.”
Gaming machines, currency and documents were seized.
Wadesboro Discount Grocery, 702 Salisbury St., Wadesboro
Shondrell Antwanette Easterling, 38, Wadesboro, was charged with eight counts of violating state gambling laws.
Quick Shop, U.S. 52, Wadesboro
Manu Kumar Patel,53, of 1216 Morven Road, Wadesboro, was charged with seven counts of violating state gambling laws.
Lisa Rivers Taylor, 49, of 210 White Oak St., Morven, was charged with six counts of violating state gambling laws.
C.Q. Mart, 1200 U.S. 74, Wadesboro
Alaa Nabil Kobercy, 29, of 5015 Clover Hill Road, Indian Trail was charged.
Mohamad Elbaba, 27, of 500 Abbington Grove Cir. Apt. F, Wadesboro was charged.
Mikes Food Mart, 1265 U.S. 74, Wadesboro
Shemetra Lashay Melton, 34, of 106 Gin Lane, Morven
Lisa Danielle Thomas, 51, of 281 Hannah Road, Wadesboro
Stop n Shop, 702 Salisbury St., Wadesboro
Kidanne-Mariam Yosief, 31, of 2801 Monterrey Lane, Monroe
Ogbamari Gebrezghiabher-Yousef, 33, of 1624 Flat River Dr. Apt 107 Charlotte
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