Authorities say three people were arrested after investigators raided an illegal gambling operation in Kenedy and found gambling equipment during a search.
KARNES COUNTY, Texas — Three people were arrested after authorities raided an illegal gambling operation in Karnes County earlier this month, according to the sheriff’s office.
The investigation happened March 1 when deputies with the Karnes County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a suspected game room in the 300 block of South Sunset Strip in Kenedy.
Sheriff Steven Bailey said investigators with the patrol and criminal investigations divisions found several types of illegal gambling equipment and evidence inside the business.
Authorities arrested three people at the scene.
Investigators identified them as Jessie Mayari of Cuba, Esther M. Gonzalez of Karnes City, and Guadalupe Flores Hernandez of Nixon.
Mayari faces multiple charges, including money laundering, gambling promotion, keeping a gambling place, possession of gambling equipment, evading arrest and tampering with evidence.
Gonzalez is charged with money laundering, gambling promotion, keeping a gambling place and possession of gambling equipment.
Hernandez was arrested on a charge of evading arrest or detention.
Sheriff Bailey said Mayari was also found to be in the United States in violation of immigration conditions. Officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement later placed an immigration detainer on him.
The sheriff’s office said illegal gambling operations remain against the law and warned that similar businesses will continue to be investigated.
“Gambling operations such as these remain illegal and will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.