Undercover operation turns up illegal gambling at 3 Blount County businesses; laundromat owner charged
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An undercover operation in Blount County turned up evidence illegal gambling - including slot machines and scratch off lottery tickets – at three businesses.
The Cleveland Police Department carried out the operation between May 15 and May 25 at a laundromat and two gas stations after receiving complaints of illegal gambling activity.
Authorities said they found slot machines in the each of the businesses: Jerry’s Wash House, the Marathon gas station at 63447 U.S. 231 and the Mobil gas station, also on U.S. 231.
One of the gas stations was also selling scratch off lottery tickets.
An investigator with the Blount County District Attorney’s Office assisted with carrying out the search warrants and the recovery of digital evidence at Jerry’s Wash House.
Investigators said they learned from informants that slot machine winners were paid in gift cards and scratch off lottery winners were paid in cash.
Jerry Thomas, owner of Jerry’s Wash House, is charged with promoting gambling. He was booked into the Blount County Jail Wednesday, and later released on bond.
More arrests are expected on charges of promoting gambling, possession of gambling devices and possession of gambling records.
“Law enforcement is a community effort,’’ said Bill Ferry, Cleveland’s assistant police chief. “Chief Thomas and I appreciate the citizens who support our police department and assisted us with this investigation.”
