Deputies raid native alleged playing web site: 40-plus gaming machines seized, two arrested

SAN ANTONIO – A playing operation on the town’s West Side was raided after investigators discovered dozens of machines and 1000’s of {dollars} in money, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar stated.

Salazar stated the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office Organized Crime Unit executed a search warrant “yesterday, about 3 o’clock in the afternoon” at a playing location within the 7400 block of U.S. Highway 90 in San Antonio. When deputies entered, they discovered “over 40 individual machines” getting used for playing.

Investigators contacted seven folks on the location, Salazar stated. Five have been clients who have been “physically gambling.” Salazar stated these 5 folks obtained citations and have been launched.

Two staff have been on the location, and a 3rd particular person described as an proprietor was not discovered there, Salazar stated. He stated the 2 staff and the proprietor are anticipated to face fees of playing promotion, a misdemeanor; possession of playing gadgets, additionally a misdemeanor; and fascinating in organized prison exercise, a state jail felony.

The two staff have been recognized as Ecstasy Leyva, 21, and Olga Sifuentes Rodriguez, 66. Both have been charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, a State Jail Felony, in addition to Gambling Promotion, and Possession of a Gambling Device or Equipment.

Salazar stated deputies seized 44 playing machines and $19,000 in money as proof.

He stated “the mere possession” of the machines isn’t unlawful, however the way in which winnings are paid out may be. In this case, Salazar stated, it appeared the operation tried to “circumvent the law” by not paying winners straight in money. Instead, he stated, winners got “beads,” and “there’s a store next door that buys beads,” permitting folks to alternate them for cash. “As it turns out, that’s still illegal,” Salazar stated.

Salazar known as unlawful playing “a lucrative business” and stated such operations are widespread. He additionally addressed why the sheriff’s workplace was concerned in a case inside San Antonio metropolis limits, saying the sheriff’s workplace nonetheless has jurisdiction. “It’s all the county,” Salazar stated.