JONES CROSSROADS —
The 27 gambling machines confiscated Thursday night by Limestone County investigators and deputies will likely be destroyed and the $10,000 in cash seized may be split between the Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney’s Office.
Meanwhile, Thomas William White, 42, of 18990 Moyers Road, Athens, is facing a misdemeanor charge of promoting gambling following the nighttime raid on Tommy’s Game Room at the corner of Lucas Ferry and Nuclear Plant roads.
After receiving complaints about the gambling establishment, Limestone authorities spent about a month investigating, said Chief Deputy Randy King.
With warrants in hand, about seven investigators and deputies, along with Sheriff Mike Blakely and the chief deputy, raided the business about 9 p.m.
“There were about 15 people inside playing illegal video (gambling) machines,” King said today. “We seized 27 machines and $10,000 in cash from inside the machines, some on Tommy’s person and some hid behind the counter and in safes.”
King said White cooperated by opening the safes.
Authorities also seized 10 guns, both handguns and long guns.
“He said he was worried about being robbed,” King said.
The 27 slot machines, which accept anywhere from $1 to $20 at a time, were loaded on 16-foot trailers and are now stored in a warehouse until the court determines their fate.
“They may be condemned to be destroyed,” King said.
The approximately 15 gamblers in the game room — about half were men and half were women — were not arrested, King said.
“We checked them for (outstanding) warrants and released them,” he said.
The gamblers, he said, were not the target of the investigation but, rather, the person promoting the gambling.
The future of the $10,000 cash will be determined in civil court, King said.
“We consider them illegal gains and, if awarded (by the court), they will be split between the Sheriff’s Office and the D.A.’s Office,” he said.
White was released from the Limestone County Jail after posting a $1,000 bail on the charge.
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