This morning, Tuesday December 11, 2012, members of the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation (MBI) and The Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) served four court-ordered Arrest Warrants and twelve Search Warrants related to charges of Racketeering, Illegal Slot machines, and Illegal Financial Transactions.
After a tip that slot machines were being operated at a gas station convenience store in Orange County, Florida, Agents determined that casino style Slot Machines, owned by a business named Specialized Games, LLC were being placed for operation in gas station convenience stores in many Florida communities, and were being used for gambling by customers at the stores.
MBI and OCSO undercover agents went to each location in Orange and Osceola County and obtained evidence that the slot machines accepted cash, inserted by customers into a slot, then allowed customers to bet credits, and possibly win more credits based on the result of the display of spinning reels with images of symbols and fruits. The slot machines would then provide the customer a printed ticket with the amount of credits printed on the ticket. Evidence reflected that: at 10 locations in Orange County, and one location in Osceola County, the customer could then cash in the ticket with the Store Clerk or Owner, and get cash or merchandise equal in value to the credits printed on the ticket. This was believed to clearly meet the definition of a slot machine, as defined in Florida Statute 849.16.
Court ordered search warrants were issued for 12 locations for slot machines and related cash and records. In addition, court ordered arrest warrants were issued for Charles E. Sikking W/M 8-20-64 and Mike W. Ivey, W/M 4-13-55, based on evidence that those two men collected the cash from the slot machines operated by Specialized Games LLC in Orange and Osceola counties. The Arrest Warrants were for the charges of Racketeering (1st Degree Felony, maximum prison term of 30 years), Engaging in Unlawful Financial Transactions with the Intent to Promote Gambling (3rd Degree Felony, maximum term of 5years), Unlawful Transportation of U.S. Currency (3rd Degree Felony, maximum term of 5 years), and the Illegal Operation or Placement of Slot Machines (2nd Degree Misdemeanor, 60 days jail maximum).
Arrest warrants were also issued for two of the store owners Rambhi Patel W/M, 6-1-69 and Shaikh Arfan W/M, 6-1-69, for the charges of Racketeering, Maintaining a Place for the Purpose of Gambling or Gaming, Engaging in Unlawful Financial Transactions with the Intent to Promote Gambling, and the Illegal Operation or Placement of Slot Machines.
This is an on-going investigation. MBI requests that anyone with additional information related to this investigation, or anyone who can report the locations of slot machines in local bars, grocery stores, or gas stations, please contact MBI at (407) 836 9701. MBI and Orange County Sheriff’s Office Commanders will be available for comment at the CITGO, 2900 S. Rio Grand Avenue.
