Detectives with the CCPD Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division continued their campaign to eradicate illegal gambling within the Corpus Christi city limits by serving multiple search warrants Thursday evening at two illegal gambling establishments on the city’s south side. Following a months-long investigation into the businesses that uncovered evidence of illegal gambling, Detectives secured search warrants for two separate game rooms, the Gold Room, 5202 Weber Road, and The Diversion Center, 7114 Saratoga. Detectives followed up with a third search warrant at an apartment located on the 4900 block of Saratoga Boulevard that Detectives had linked to the illegal gambling establishments. During the searches, NVID Detectives seized gambling equipment, $4,600.00 cash, and other evidence of illegal gambling.

Arrested at the Gold Room for Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, Gambling Promotion, Keeping a Gambling Place, Possession of a Gambling Device, and Violation of the Nueces County Game Room Ordinance were employees Viviana Garza, age 43 and Erasmo Cancino, age 32.

At The Diversion Center, Detectives arrested 30-year-old Michael Trevino on charges of

Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, Gambling Promotion, Keeping a Gambling Place, Possession of a Gambling Device, and Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon (handgun). This was the second time in the past eight months that NVID Detectives have served a search warrant on this illegal game room. Five adult patrons were cited for Gambling, a Class C misdemeanor.

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.

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

NVID Detectives were assisted in this operation by officers with the CCPD Gang Unit, Violent Crime Unit, Traffic Section, and 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.