Detectives with the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division busted yet another illicit gambling operation Thursday afternoon located inside a game room on the city’s south side. Continuing their initiative to eliminate illegal gambling within the Corpus Christi city limits, NVID Detectives served a search warrant at the El Patron Sweepstakes Game room, located on the 4600 block of SPID, shortly after noon yesterday. The search warrant was the conclusion of a months-long investigation into the business that uncovered evidence of illegal gambling. During the search, Detectives found and seized ninety pieces of gambling equipment and over $31,000 in cash. Andria Thompson, age 34, was arrested and charged with gambling promotion, keeping a gambling place, possession of a gambling device, and engaging in organized criminal activity. Engaging in organized criminal activity is a state jail felony, punishable by up to two years in jail and a maximum $10,000 fine, while the other three charges are class A misdemeanors. Twenty-three adult patrons inside the game room were cited for gambling, a class C misdemeanor.

This investigation continues, and additional charges and arrests are likely. The Corpus Christi Police Department reminds citizens that game rooms which pay out cash rewards are engaging in illegal gambling. Patrons as well as the management of these establishments may face criminal charges.

NVID Detectives were assisted in the operation by officers with the CCPD Operations Division, as well as investigators with the State of Texas Comptroller’s Office, which regulates coin operated machines.

The Corpus Christi Police Department continues to collaborate with our local state and federal partners to investigate and combat illegal gambling. Investigators will continue to enforce all Texas gambling laws, which will help accomplish our mission to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and to improve the quality of life in our community.