Friday, March 16, 2007

An Indiana State trooper is in trouble, caught in the middle of a police
raid. The raid happened Tuesday night in the 3900 block of Pendleton Way on
the northeast side. Police say what might look like a legitimate business
was actually an illegal Texas Hold'Em operation with $100 and $500 tables.
Tuesday night, an off-duty state police officer got caught in the middle of
the action. Boxes and boxes of chips, different denominations are now
evidence. And three men are under arrest, including the owner, arrested on
gambling charges. Eyewitness News asked the following questions as the owner
was being taken into custody: Is this a regular gambling place? Is it high
stakes? Cards? "I've been informed not to speak with you," he answered. One
man was arrested on another outstanding warrant. Another man said he was
arrested because he had a gun. "16 people ranging from the ages of 18 to 70,
male and female, and tonight they all had equal opportunity to be arrested,"
said IMPD Sgt. Matt Mount. Boxes loaded with cash, including hundreds, were
also taken into custody. "Last week we had a report from the owner of the
establishment that he's been robbed of $11,000, so obviously it is a type of
activity that's illegal and attracts even more violent crime," said Sgt.
Mount
In the past, operators of these kinds of games have claimed they are legal
games of skill. The government has claimed otherwise. The other 60 people at
the poker game, including the off-duty Indiana State Trooper, were all
issued citations to appear in court on gambling charges.