19 DEFENDANTS TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR ILLEGAL POSSESSION AND OPERATION OF GAMBLING DEVICES IN GARDEN GROVE CAFÉS

19 DEFENDANTS TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR ILLEGAL POSSESSION AND OPERATION OF GAMBLING DEVICES IN GARDEN GROVE cafés
*This case was a 3-month joint investigation led by Garden Grove Police Department

WESTMINSTER – As a result of a multi-agency law enforcement investigation targeting illegal gambling in Garden Grove cafés, 19 defendants will be arraigned this morning for possessing and operating illegal gaming machines. The Garden Grove Police Department led the 3-month investigation with assistance from the California Department of Justice Bureau of Gaming Control, Federal Bureau of Investigation, California Franchise Tax Board, and police departments from the Cities of Buena Park, El Monte, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Orange, Santa Ana, Tustin and Westminster. The Orange and Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Offices, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Orange and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Departments, and Orange County Probation Department helped serve and cite the defendants.

Of the defendants, 17 are charged with one misdemeanor count of possession of an unlawful gaming device, one misdemeanor count of possession or control of a slot machine, and one misdemeanor count of operation and maintenance of a slot machine. Co-defendants Holly Nguyen and Vickie Nguyen are charged with one misdemeanor count each of possession of an unlawful gaming device and possession or control of a slot machine. All 19 defendants face a maximum sentence of six months in jail and $1,000 fine if convicted. The defendants are ordered to appear for arraignment today, May, 24, 2011, at 8:30 a.m. in Department W-2, West Justice Center, Westminster.