Published: February 27, 2008 09:32 am            

Four sentenced for illegal gambling after Tool raid

TOOL — Four individuals charged with illegal gambling activity here last October have all either served time in jail or reached settlements in their cases.

Police officers in Tool confiscated 43 gambling machines, commonly known as 8-liners, on Oct. 20 of last year at Happy’s Game Room, located at 1912 S. Tool Drive.

The bust was made after police obtained a search warrant stemming from complaints of illegal gambling at the site, according to Tool Assistant Police Chief Kendall Wellman.

“Most people felt it was idle fun, but when they’re paying cash money for winnings off the machines, it constituted gambling,” he said.

Arrested and charged with Class A misdemeanors were Michael Pinson, 36, from Kaufman; Lanny Pinson, 41, from Mabank; Judy Elliott, 53 and Laura Jones 44, of Trinidad.

All four pled guilty in Nancy Perryman’s Henderson County Court at Law 2.

Large amounts of gambling proceeds were also obtained in that raid. Numerous patrons were issued Class C misdemeanor citations.

Sentences imposed ranged from probation, fines and court costs to jail confinement.

Owners of the establishment also forfeited the illegal gambling machines and gambling proceeds, according to Wellman.

Patrons at the business establishment paid $250 fines and court costs after pleading guilty to Class C misdemeanor charges.

“We want to let people know that these people will be prosecuted,” Wellman said.

“We’d been watching this place for over a year, and we finally had a couple of complainants make statements and get involved, and illegal gambling was taking place,” he added.

        

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