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game room raid in emc

The Pct. 4 Constable’s Office and Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office worked together on a six-month investigation that culminated in the Tuesday afternoon raid of an illegal gaming business operating in a residential area of Porter.

The modest brick house located at 21594 E. Memorial between US 59 and FM 494 was home to “White Diamonds Game Room.” From the street, nothing appeared out of the ordinary, but up close, it was a different story. A look at the side door of the house also revealed it was more than a residence, with a doorbell and a crudely made sign that said “Must have blue or white membership card ready every visit.” It also listed hours, and stated they “refused the right to refuse entry to anyone.” Another sign stated membership was required for entry and warned patrons not to ask “employees” to break the rules for anyone including spouses and children.

Most of the house was converted into two large rooms filled with eight-liners and other gaming machines. The walls and ceiling were painted a deep purple, and there were handmade, some of them glittery, signs throughout the building pointing to the exits and restroom, as well as stating various rules. One of the rules was that no one was to leave without being escorted by an employee. Furthermore, patrons were not allowed to have anyone waiting outside for them. Copies of a few ID’s were posted on one wall with the word “banned” at the bottom, but no indication of the reason.

There was a manager on duty and there were patrons inside when Pct. 4 Constable Kenneth “Rowdy” Hayden and his men raided the operation on Tuesday, with District Attorney Brett Ligon, First Assistant District Attorney Phil Grant, and others in tow. The owner, 50-year-old Cecelia Vaughn Croft was also on-hand.

Croft is charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity- Keeping a Gambling Place; Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity- Possession of a Gambling Device; Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity- Gambling Promotion; and Possession of Gambling Device Equipment/Promotion/Paraphernalia

Croft’s employee on duty, Deborah Gaye Burt, 54, of Cleveland is charged with Possession of Gambling Device Equipment/Promotion/Paraphernalia.

Ligon and Hayden said the game room represented more than illegal gambling.

“These game rooms attract criminals such as drug dealers and prostitutes,” Constable Hayden said, “It’s private, so they assume they won’t be discovered by law enforcement.”

“Robberies are also common at these establishments,” he said. “This one is especially disturbing because it’s in a residential area and looks like many other family homes.”

Ligon said he believes the operations have begun to move to residential areas because of his and Hayden’s administrations’ successes in shutting down those operating in strip centers and other obvious locations around East County.

 

 

 

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