Three arrested, five businesses closed in Bladen County illegal video gaming bust

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A joint investigation between the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office and NC Alcohol Law Enforcement into illegal video gambling operations throughout Bladen County has led to several businesses closing and three arrests.

The investigation began after law enforcement receiving complaints from the community. According to a news release, agents conducted undercover video gaming plays where the cash payouts were received.

At the conclusion of this investigation, on Thursday, the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement, and the Bladenboro Police Department executed a search warrants at Freddy’s on Elm in Clarkton, Klix 211 Arcade on Hwy 211 West in Bladenboro, 702 Sweepstakes on Hwy 701 North in Elizabethtown and Jewels Sweepstakes in Bladenboro.

During the search warrants, over 300 illegal video gaming machines and $10,000.00 in cash.

Agents also went to Aladdin Sweepstakes on 3rd Street in Dublin. Pursuant to an agreement with the Bladen County District Attorney’s Office and Jeffery Smith, owner of Aladdin Sweepstakes, this location will cease operations immediately and will not reopen  within Bladen County or anywhere else in the 13th Prosecutorial District, which is Bladen, Columbus, and Brunswick Counties.

“This was a joint operation with ALE and Bladenboro Police Department,” said Sheriff James McVicker. “We have been working with our State Representative William Brisson and other legislators as well as the Attorney General’s Office to shut these illegal operations down for good. There is new, stronger legislation being introduced to address this issue and more clearly define what is and what is not allowed which will make enforcement much easier and strengthen the penalties. I appreciate all the help we received from our partners in this operation.”

The following people were arrested:

Steven Ray Lovin of Lumberton.
Bond: $50,000.00 secure
Charges: 2 counts of Gambling, 2 counts of Operating Video Gaming Machines, 2 counts of Possession of 5 or More Video Gaming Machines, 1 count of Promote, Operate, or Conduct a Server Based Game, 1 count of Possessing Illegal Gaming Terminals, and 1 count of Operating Electronic Sweepstakes

Steven Mark Lovin of Lumberton
Bond: $100,000.00 unsecure
Charges: 2 counts of Gambling, 2 counts of Operating Video Gaming Machines, 2 counts of Possession of 5 or More Video Gaming Machines, 1 count of Promote, Operate, or Conduct a Server Based Game, 1 count of Possessing Illegal Gaming Terminals, and 1 count of Operating Electronic Sweepstakes

Cynthia Dawn Duncan of Clarkton
Bond: $15,000.00 secure
Charges: 3 counts of Gambling, 3 counts of Operating Video Gaming Machines, 3 counts of Possession of 5 or More Video Gaming Machines, 2 counts of Promote, Operate, or Conduct a Server Based Game, 2 counts of Possessing Illegal Gaming Terminals, and 4 counts of Operating Electronic Sweepstakes

The following corporation was charged and multiple Criminal Summons’ were served on a member of the LLC.

Name: Vapes Enterprises, LLC
Address: Raleigh, NC
Charges: 3 counts of Gambling, 3 counts of Operating Video Gaming Machines, 3 counts of Possession of 5 or More Video Gaming Machines, 2 counts of Promote, Operate, or Conduct a Server Based Game, 2 counts of Possessing Illegal Gaming Terminals, and 4 counts of Operating Electronic Sweepstakes

The following defendants have active warrants for their arrest and are currently wanted by the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office. If you know where they are, contact the Vice/Narcotics Unit at (910) 874-0656. All information will remain anonymous.

Name: Daniel James Storie
Address: Mooresville, NC
Charges: 3 counts of Gambling, 3 counts of Operating Video Gaming Machines, 3 counts of Possession of 5 or More Video Gaming Machines, 2 counts of Promote, Operate, or Conduct a Server Based Game, 2 counts of Possessing Illegal Gaming Terminals, and 4 counts of Operating Electronic Sweepstakes

Name: Daniel Paul Storie of Asheboro
Charges: 3 counts of Gambling, 3 counts of Operating Video Gaming Machines, 3 counts of Possession of 5 or More Video Gaming Machines, 2 counts of Promote, Operate, or Conduct a Server Based Game, 2 counts of Possessing Illegal Gaming Terminals, and 4 counts of Operating Electronic Sweepstakes

Name: James Hubert Ross, Jr of Bladenboro
Charges: 2 counts of Gambling, 2 counts of Operating Video Gaming Machines, 1 count of Possession of 5 or More Video Gaming Machines, 1 count of Promote, Operate, or Conduct a Server Based Game, 1 count of Possessing Illegal Gaming Terminals, and 1 count of Operating Electronic Sweepstakes

Additional arrests are anticipated.