The owners of two Batesville businesses were arrested and each charged with keeping a gambling house, a felony.
A 50-year-old Hispanic male, Hilario Huerta and a 42-year-old Hispanic female, Mirtha Jasso, were both charged and released on their own recognizance.
Batesville Police Department Lieutenant of Criminal Investigation, Kyle Williford, said his department had received several complaints of illegal gambling occurring at the La Korita market and restaurant at 2375 Byers St. in east Batesville and the La Ilusion market and restaurant at 945 N. Central Ave. in west Batesville.
Two undercover policemen were sent to each business to participate in gambling with the electronic machines, winning cash money, said Williford.
Then on Tuesday of this week, a sting operation was arranged to hit both locations at the same time.
The bust was successful with several electronic gambling machines taken into custody, according to Williford.
The lieutenant told White River Now that both establishments had been warned months earlier not to utilize the type of electronic machine that would be considered a “gaming” device.
Chance, consideration and prize are the key elements that would make the operation of electronic gaming devices a “gambling house.”
Keeping a gambling house is a class D felony, and if found guilty, a person could be sentenced for up to six years in prison or a fine up to $10,000 or a combination of both.
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