CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A police raid at an illegal gambling operation on Corpus Christi’s south side led to the arrest of four individuals and the seizure of 125 gambling devices and more than $12,000 in cash, authorities announced.
Detectives from the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division served a search warrant at the Pure Game Room on South Staples Street shortly after 2:00 p.m. on Thursday. The raid followed a months-long investigation into the business, which led to evidence of illegal gambling activity.
Those arrested include Edward Gutierrez, 29, Johnny Perales, 56, and Jamie Mott, 21. All three face charges of gambling promotion, keeping a gambling place, possession of a gambling device, violation of the Nueces County Game Room Ordinance, and engaging in organized criminal activity. Melinda Delapaz, 28, was also arrested on similar charges, including gambling promotion.
The charge of engaging in organized criminal activity is a state jail felony, punishable by up to two years in jail and a maximum $10,000 fine. The other charges are classified as Class A misdemeanors.
Additionally, 13 adult patrons found inside the game room were cited for gambling, a Class C misdemeanor.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities anticipate further charges and arrests.
The Corpus Christi Police Department warns citizens that game rooms offering cash rewards are engaged in illegal gambling, and both patrons and managers of such establishments could face criminal charges.
