JACKSONVILLE, Ark. – The Jacksonville Police Department executed four search warrants to shut down gaming sites in the city on Monday.
Officials said gaming machines were seized and operators were charged in two instances, and a third man is facing gaming-related charges.
In the first instance, police officials said they seized evidence and $9,288.23 from Max’s Convenience Store/Phillips 66, 713 South Street in the city. The owner, Venkata Melapu, was arrested and is facing charges of felony keeping a gaming house and misdemeanor keeping a gaming device.
At the second location, police officials said $4,098.14 was seized along with two firearms and two ounces of marijuana from Jacksonville Stop and Shop, 1116 South First Street.
The owner, Ahmed Ali was arrested and is facing charges of felony simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, felony use of another person’s property to facilitate certain crimes, felony possession with the purpose to deliver, felony keeping a gaming house and misdemeanor of keeping a gaming device.
Because the store was within 1,000 feet of a church or daycare, officials said there would be a penalty enhancement.
Finally, police said they searched both locations of AJ Mart, one at 1521 South First Street and the second at 3701 North First Street but found the gaming machines they expected to fine had been moved before the search warrant was executed.
However, the business owner, Jagjit Singh, is facing felony charges for keeping a gaming house and a misdemeanor for keeping a gaming device.