Three suspects were arrested by Lancaster Sheriff’s Station deputies assisted by personnel from the City of Lancaster‘s Public Safety Offices the result after a two month investigation into Internet cafés in connection with illegal gambling operations in the Lancaster Area.
The investigation began approximately two months ago after deputies received complaints from the community regarding quality of life and public nuisance issues such as public intoxication, fighting in public, and gang members loitering around these Internet cafés. The locations had business licenses to operate as internet cafés; however, casino style computer “slot machine” games of chance were said to be promoted.
As a result of the warrant service deputies seized several pieces of evidence used in illegal gaming locations. 150 computers, documents of gambling debts owed to customers, and approximately $5,000 in cash were confiscated.
According to the California Department of Justice Bureau of Gambling Control (Law Enforcement Advisory, Number 11), Illegally-operated internet cafés sell internet time or phone cards in conjunction with a “promotional sweepstakes.” This “sweepstakes” aspect permits customers to play gambling-themed games on computers to win cash prizes, which is considered to be illegal gambling operations.
Three adults, 42-year-old, Jessica Pearson of Lancaster, 25-year-old, Sheldon Fields of Palmdale, and 47-year-old Alice Miles of Lancaster were cited and released for the misdemeanor violation of Possession or Keeping of Slot or Card Machines. Two gambling patrons were arrested on separate felony charges. Celerino Magana a 28-year-old resident of Palmdale was arrested for violation of his parole and is being held at Lancaster Station with a No Bail Hold. 44-year-old Tamera Ann Garrett of Lancaster was arrested for Possession of Illegal Narcotics and is being held at Lancaster Station on $10,000 bail.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Lancaster Sheriff’s Station at (661)948-8466. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.
Sheriff: Lancaster Internet Cafés are Fronts for Illegal Casinos
