Gambling Bust Closes Three Businesses in Swain%2
203 views · Published 18 August 2015 · 1:59 · Indexed 20 September 2026
Channel: WLOS News 13 · 2015 · News & Politics
SWAIN COUNTY, N.C. -- A few businesses in Swain County are no longer operational after a gambling bust Wednesday. Dozens of gaming machines are now in the custody of the sheriff. Anonymous tips from the community got this all started. "When the community really starts complaining about it, it's time for us to make a move," Sheriff Curtis Cochran said. It's an investigation that rolled into operation six months ago, putting deputies undercover in March. "We sent them in four times and they gathered their information," Sheriff Cochran said. "We got everything on video where they're paying out in cash." The sheriff's focus has been on three businesses: Lucky Shack and Teddy Bear in Whittier and 777 Arcade in Bryson City. The sheriff says gambling is what they sold and that's against the law. Any and every thing that has to do with gambling had to go, leaving business owners with empty buildings. Numerous gaming machines, prizes, cash registers, and ATMs were taken as evidence that now goes to the district attorney to keep the investigation rolling. "The next step is to seek indictments from the grand jury for the owners or operators or both," Sheriff Cochran. "If we get indictments, then we'll take them to superior court before a judge and a jury." Warrants allowed the sheriff to search vehicles and homes of owners as well. Up to six people could face charges. "It's a good day for us and a good day for the community," Sheriff Cochran said. "We just want everybody to be following the law." This case could go to a grand jury as soon as July 27, but the sheriff says he expects that to happen next month. By Jerrika Insco Follow Jerrika on Twitter. You can also find her on Facebook. _______________ Follow WLOS on social media: WLOS ABC 13 News on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/News13/ WLOS ABC 13 News on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WLOS_13 WLOS ABC 13 News on Instagram: https://instagram.com/wlos_13 Subscribe to WLOS on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ABC13Channel/?sub_confirmation=1 Listen to AnchorMOMS, the Podcast: https://wlos.com/news/anchormoms/anchormoms-the-podcast Watch more top local news stories: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk8Ge6UXHJs&list=PLkVbaoT-aYbIvnEpR0Ct5QQQqYaORUSUH For all of the day’s top local and national news, visit http://www.wlos.com Watch our live newscasts and other live video at https://wlos.com/watch Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: [email protected] Call the Newsroom: 828.684.1340 WLOS ABC 13 News serves the Asheville, NC area and the rest of western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. We keep our audience informed through local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, notices of community events, sports and entertainment programming since 1954.
