Illegal Gambling Operation Shut Down, Owner Arrested, LIVINGSTON, November 4, 2022 - On October, 31, 2022, Detectives with the Polk County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Division, obtained warrants for the arrest of 29 year old Sujit Baba Chalamalasetty, of Beaumont, for multiple offenses of operating an illegal game room, on August 30, 2022.
Through a lengthy investigation, Chalamalasetty, was identified as the owner and manager of the establishment and was found to be funding the illegal game room in Leggett. Warrants were obtained on Chalamalasetty, for Possession of a Gambling Device, Equipment, or Paraphernalia; Gambling Promotion; and Keeping a Gambling Place.
On On November 2, 2022, Chalamalasetty, turned himself in to the Polk County Sheriff's Office on his outstanding warrants and he is currently incarcerated in the Polk County Jail.
Sheriff Byron Lyons reminds the public that when these gambling locations open, crime always increases in the area of the establishment. The crimes commonly include armed robbery, illegal narcotics transactions, theft, stolen vehicles, burglaries, assaults, criminal mischief, and disorderly conduct, just to name a few.
Operating a gambling establishment in itself, outside of the reservation of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe and the Ysleta de Sur Pueblo Tribe near El Paso, in the State of Texas, is illegal. The Polk County Sheriff's Office is staying vigilant in investigating establishments of this nature along with the criminal activity attached to these establishments, in an effort to improve the overall quality of life in these areas.
Per the Texas Attorney General's Office, operating this type of establishment is a criminal offense, unless all payouts for winnings are in the form of non-cash merchandise prizes, toys, or novelties. If found operating these types of establishments, any type of gambling paraphernalia, equipment, and/or proceeds will be seized.
At this time, no charges have brought against any patrons of this gambling establishment. However, Sheriff Lyons wants the public to know that participating in gambling at one of these establishments is a crime as well and charges can be filed.
