An elderly man from Cape Coral, Florida, is facing a number of charges after allegedly operating an illegal gambling venue.
The suspect, according to local media reports, was arrested recently after an extensive investigation.
The criminal case involves an 89-year-old man, who was detained by the Cape Coral Police Department officers only recently.
The suspect’s arrest comes after an investigation into illegal gambling and money laundering.
The 89-year-old man had troubles with law enforcement last summer, when police found and seized illegal slot machines at Senior Chuckie’s, a venue the suspect owned.
Besides the gambling devices, law enforcement seized more than $60,000 in cash, a report by WINK News suggests.
After his encounter with law enforcement last year, the same 89-year-old found himself in trouble once again.
This time, he was arrested and charged with suspected money laundering and running an illegal arcade.
The long list of charges the 89-year-old man is facing includes operating or maintaining an illegal gambling place, racketeering, money laundering over $100,000 in 12 months and fraud.
The list of charges the suspect is facing is significant, and some of those offenses have serious penalties.
In the case of operating or maintaining an illegal gambling house, typically such a crime is seen as a misdemeanor and can be punished by jail time, fines, probation and the seizure of illegal gambling equipment.
However, in Florida, using proceeds from racketeering is classified as a felony and can be punished by up to 30 years in prison, together with significant fines.
Equally concerning, money laundering over $100,000 in 12 months can also be punished by up to 30 years in prison.
On the other hand, fraud is typically a misdemeanor, but such a crime can also be classified as a felony. The punishment for fraud in Florida depends on the sum involved and can be punished with prison, restitution, and significant fines.
In case the suspect is found guilty on all charges, he may be sentenced to decades in prison and significant monetary sanctions.
Still, it is worth noting that the suspect remains innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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