From the Seminole County Sheriff's office and Staff Reports
The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) today raided and dismantled eight illegal gambling centers and charged 18 individuals for their role in running the enterprises.
One of the centers was located in Apopka (Seminole County) in the Hunt Club Corners Shopping Center at 494 South Hunt Club Boulevard.
Agents with the City-County Investigative Bureau (CCIB) began the investigation in May after receiving a CrimeLine tip.
After the tip, the CCIB conducted a series of undercover operations in order to identify the persons involved. During the course of the investigation, agents learned the gambling centers, which consisted of primarily slot machines and video games, were operating without occupational licenses. There were also no fire or code enforcement inspections conducted at the establishments.
In addition, the doors were locked behind customers as they entered and only unlocked when requested to allow them to leave, creating a potential fire hazard. Other complainants included an overdose occurring at one location and disturbances regarding claims of customers being deprived of earnings.
This morning, agents served search warrants and dismantled illegal gambling centers at the following Seminole County locations:
- 430 S.R. 436 Suite 104, Casselberry
- 2921 S. Orlando Drive Suite 172, Sanford
- 481 North S.R. 434 Suite 105, Altamonte Springs
- 494 South Hunt Club Boulevard, Apopka
- 420 East S.R. 434 Suite F, Longwood
- 851 West S.R. 436, Altamonte Springs
- 801 West S.R. 436 Suite 1005, Altamonte Springs
- 2565 Park Drive, Sanford
Arrest warrants were obtained for 18 suspects, and SCSO deputies arrested 14 from that list and charged them with Racketeering, Racketeer Influenced, and Corrupt Organizations (RICO), Keeping a House of Gambling, Possess/Deliver Gambling Machines, and Running an Illegal Lottery.
Two others were arrested and charged with Racketeering, Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO), Keeping a House of Gambling, and Possess/Deliver Gambling Machines.
All detained suspects are being held at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility on no-bond. None of the detained suspects are residents of Apopka.
Two other suspects are still outstanding and face similar charges.
If you have any information on the whereabouts of the following individuals, please contact SCSO at (407) 665-6650 or CrimeLine at 1-800-423-TIPS.
- Arpitkumar Pravinbhai Pa Patel, D, DOB 08/27/1994
- Danielle Delinda Lopez, DOB 02/14/1989
The CCIB is a multi-agency task force comprised of agents from SCSO, all seven police departments within Seminole County, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Amtrak/Auto Train.
