Attorney General, Missouri State Highway Patrol Announce Profitable Illegal Gaming Sting Operation

Nearly $60,000 in Illicit Funds Seized Across Boone, Dallas, Jefferson, and Miller Counties

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Today throughout a press convention, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway introduced that her workplace, alongside the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) and native regulation enforcement, efficiently carried out simultaneous seizures in a four-county unlawful gaming sting operation.

“The era of Missouri’s illegal gaming industry hiding behind a so-called ‘gray market’ is over,” mentioned Attorney General Hanaway. “Illegal gaming has formed nuisance centers across our state, and this billion-dollar industry has put paved the way for violent and organized crime.  We are proud to have partnered with local law enforcement in a sting operation that marks the start of our next phase of enforcement. My office remains committed to dismantling illegal gaming manufacturers, distributors, and retail stores that continue to defy law enforcement.”

“This sting operation reflects our shared commitment with the Attorney General’s Office and local law enforcement partners to enforce the law, hold violators accountable and protect lawful business practices throughout Missouri,” mentioned MSHP Colonel Michael A. Turner.

During the sting operation, 35 units and $58,815 in unlawful funds have been seized. In addition to submitting 21 felony counts of first-degree selling playing for 4 of the areas, and 5 misdemeanor counts of second-degree selling playing for the fifth location. The Attorney General reminds the general public that these prison expenses are merely allegations. As in all prison instances, the defendant is presumed harmless until and till confirmed responsible in a courtroom of regulation.

The Attorney General can also be in search of the civil forfeiture of all unlawful funds sized throughout this sting operation. The Missouri Criminal Activity Forfeiture Act (CAFA), codified in RSMo. Sections 513.600 to 513.645, establishes a complete civil forfeiture framework that permits regulation enforcement to grab property utilized in, derived from, or meant to be used in prison exercise.

The unlawful gaming sting operation included:

• Eagle Stop North Providence in Columbia, Boone County, which had 4 unlawful gaming units and $16,973 in unlawful funds sized;
• Woody’s Pub and Grub in Ashland, Boone County, which had six unlawful gaming units and $8,072 in unlawful funds sized;
• Buffalo Eagle Stop in Buffalo, Dallas County, which had eight unlawful gaming units and $15,638 in unlawful funds sized;
• Bagnell Eagle Stop in Lake Ozark, Miller County, which had 4 unlawful gaming units and $15,985 in unlawful funds sized; and
• Tenbrook Station Lounge in Arnold, Jefferson County, which had seven unlawful gaming units and $2,147 in unlawful funs sized till specialised instruments can be utilized to drill into the
  cost kiosk.

Following investigations by the Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control, the Attorney General’s Office, partnered collaboratively with the Arnold Police Department, Ashland Police Department, Boone County Sheriff’s Office, Columba Police Department, Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Miller County Sheriff’s Office, and Lake Ozark Police Department to finish the sting operation.

To anybody who continues housing or working these unlawful units, General Hanaway calls for that you simply unplug, shut down, and take away the units instantly. Her Office is ready to go to all corners of the State to eradicate unlawful gaming operations.

The prison grievance for Anthony Gier in Columbia, Boone County may be learn right here.

The prison grievance for Keith Winscott in Ashland, Boone County may be learn right here.

The prison grievance for Jenna Gier in Buffalo, Dallas County may be learn right here.

The prison grievance for Anthony Gier in Lake Ozark, Miller County may be learn right here.

The prison grievance for Tonia Twardowski in Jefferson County may be learn right here.

Photos from the press convention and from the Eagle Stop North Providence  can be found on the Missouri Attorney General’s Flickr page.