Jacob James, 20, allegedly in the USA illegally, was placed under arrest at the Valero station in Goodrich and charged with engaging in organized crime (felony).
Deputies Shut Down Two Different Illegal Gambling Operations, GOODRICH, May 17, 2010 - At approximately 2 pm on May 17, 2010, Investigators and Deputies with the Polk County Sheriff's Office moved in and shut down two different illegal gambling operations: One at the Valero in Goodrich and one at the Corner Shell service station on US-190 East. It is not yet known if the two are connected. Three men were arrested and more arrests are coming. During the month of April, the Polk County Sheriff's Office received several tips in reference to illegal gambling going on at both establishments. Intelligence indicated that operatives were paying out in the stores in both cash and merchandise from within the businesses. An under cover operation got under way in early May. Several times organized illegal gambling services were provided to undercover detectives. On Monday, May 17, 2010 detectives moved in on both establishments. Search warrants were executed and 1 arrest was made at the Valero off US-59 in Goodrich, and 2 arrests were made at the corner Shell station off US-190 and FM-2457. Arrested were Jacob James, 20 (Valero), Raul Mirend, and Teles Vaz (Corner Shell). All three men are allegedly in the United Sates illegally and are residents of India. All three were charged with engaging in organized criminal activity. Engaging in organized crime is a felony. The investigation is still ongoing.
Goodrich: Investigators and deputies confiscate an 8 Liner video gambling machine.
Goodrich: The video gambling machine was loaded onto a large truck.
Goodrich: Minutes later, investigators confiscated another video gambling machine.
Corner Shell on US-190: Investigators confiscate an 8 Liner video Gambling machine and load it on the same truck that was used in Goodrich.
Corner Shell on US-190: Investigators load a second video gambling machine. (note: 2 already loaded and strapped in from the Valero in Goodrich).
Moments after loading the video gambling machines, investigators arrested two alleged illegal immigrants from India.
Raul Mirend (center) and Teles Vaz (right) were both placed under arrest.
Raul Mirend, 37, allegedly an illegal immigrant from India, was placed under arrest and charged with engaging in organized crime.
Teles Vaz, 28, also an alleged illegal immigrant from India, was also arrested and charged with engaging in organized crime (Deputy Mike Nettles pictured with Vaz).
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