NC man arrested and charged in illegal gambling bust

• Multi-agency operation against illegal gambling resulted in raids in Fayetteville
• Police detained one person, who faced several gambling-related charges
• If convicted on all charges, the suspect may face prison time, fines and restitution

An elderly man is facing several gambling-related charges after a police operation in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

The arrest follows multi-agency raids at two locations on Thursday.

Suspect hit with multiple misdemeanor and felony charges

The suspect, a 65-year-old man, is facing misdemeanor charges of gambling, misdemeanor manufacturing or selling slot machines, as well as felony charges for operating more than five gambling devices, as announced by the local media outlet, CBS 17.

The suspect’s arrest comes after a coordinated effort by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office’s Organized Crime Unit andthe DEA.

The law enforcement agencies conducted raids at the 3100 block of Harmony Hall Way and the 800 block of Castle Hayne Road.

The 65-year-old suspect is held on a $20,000 bond at the Cumberland County Detention Center.

According to law enforcement, he may be facing additional charges.

It is unclear how many gambling devices were found and seized, and whether or not police found cash at the suspected illegal gambling establishment.

Also, it is yet to be confirmed how long the venue operated and whether or not other suspects were involved.

If sentenced on all charges, the suspect may spend years behind bars

The three charges the suspect is facing are serious and may result in potential jail time, as well as fines, probation and forfeiture of ill-gained funds or gambling devices.

In the case of the misdemeanor gambling charge, the suspect may receive a fine and potentially spend time in jail.

On the other hand, the misdemeanor manufacturing or selling slot machines, if first offense, is punishable by up to 120 days in jail, fines and possibly probation.

Finally, felony operating more than five gambling machines is recognized as a class G felony, subject to penalty of up to 2 years in prison.

Depending on the circumstances, a tougher sentence may also be imposed for the felony charge.

It is worth noting that the suspect remains innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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