Card dealers could draw years in prison, hefty finesBy Nadine Parks (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Photo GalleryFacing charges for dealing cards The following people are charged with operating as card dealers in the recent Lowcountry gambling dragnet:
The penaltiesAll charges against the accused gamblers are misdemeanors: THE PLAYERS: To be tried in magistrate's court with a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail or a $100 fine. THE DEALERS: Tried in General Sessions court with a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a fine of $2,000. Coming SundayIn the wake of Lowcountry gambling busts, tension is high among those who play small-stakes poker. Should it be? They are said to be the professionals, accused of taking $1,300 a night to shuffle up and deal poker to high-stakes Lowcountry gamblers. At least seven local card dealers are among more than 60 people arrested in recent days in a 10-month undercover investigation by the Charleston County Sheriff's Office, authorities said Friday. Unlike the more than 50 accused players, who will face a magistrate on Monday, those charged with dealing to them will later appear before a circuit judge. They could spend as much as a year behind bars and a $2,000 fine for each count, said prosecutor Ed Knisley, Charleston County deputy attorney. Some are charged on multiple counts and could serve years in prison, Sheriff Al Cannon said. Cannon said that in most states the charges the dealers face are considered felonies, but in South Carolina they are classified as misdemeanors or what some law enforcement officers here refer to as high misdemeanors. "This is the kind of case that ought to be given some priority, and I suspect that the solicitor will look at them with a certain amount of seriousness," Cannon said. Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson said Friday that she had not yet had a chance to look at the accused dealers' cases. All of those identified as being dealers live in the Charleston area. Among them is a North Charleston man who told a judge this week that he is a self-employed construction worker. A Berkeley County woman said she works as a loan officer for a financial group. Among the accused players were a police officer, a deputy prosecutor, a teacher, church deacon, real estate agent, construction contractor, Navy lieutenant and several business owners. Only one of the accused dealers has a prior criminal history in South Carolina, a misdemeanor charge not related to gambling. Deputies have said that the no-limit betting sometimes went as high as thousands of dollars. The players paid $5 per hand to the game host, who in turn paid the dealers $1,300 per night, they said. The players also were served refreshments at several Lowcountry gambling sites that are said to be part of the gambling circuit. Other games of chance were played on the outskirts of the poker table as well, authorities said. "It's that kind of sophisticated organization that certainly points to more than just a friendly little game," Cannon said. "Charleston is not Las Vegas, and the reason it's not is because there are laws in effect that draw a line. By far, most innocent games don't pass that line. But when you start with the kind of organization and paid employees and large numbers, significant amounts of money and the frequency with which they played, all of those things indicate to us that it goes beyond the line." Two men have lost their jobs in the wake of the probe. First Circuit Deputy Solicitor Don Sorenson resigned after being charged as a player. Charleston police Cpl. Michael McElveen Jr., 38, also an accused gambler, is on administrative leave without pay. McElveen is a 14-year veteran of the department. |
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Comments
This article has 46 comment(s)
Posted by Thomas1776 on April 12, 2008 at 1:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
When will charges be brought against the hooded deputies? In SC, there is a law that makes it a crime to wear those hoods. And the police are not excluded.
The hooded deputies must be charged, arrested, and brought before a court to receive their punishment. After all, the law is the law.
Posted by Mayor on April 12, 2008 at 1:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We are still the laughing stock of America. What a waste of time and money. They'll never bust the "Big Game".
Posted by Mayor on April 12, 2008 at 1:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
In all honesty, how can Al Cannon look in the mirror? I saw him giving a lady a ticket on the way to work. Is that the best use of his time? He really needs to go!
Posted by Ron_Godzilla on April 12, 2008 at 1:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with you Mayor. The people of the lowcountry should demand Cannon's resignation. He clearly does not know how to effectively run his department. Just look at the crime stats in Charleston County. I agree with what a poster said the other day. All sixty of these defendants should ask for trial by jury. That will tax the local judicial system to the hilt and make any future law enforcement agency think twice about conducting another farce such as this.
Posted by lillycollette on April 12, 2008 at 5:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Some members of the public have relentlessly harped on the ability of LEO to effectively “prioritize” what laws should be investigated or ignored—based on allegations that funds are so tight that stricter enforcement priorities have to be set.
In the next breath they complain and make allegations of “selective enforcement” of the law—which was what they had just said was needed (priorities).
And all this double speak in the face of a numbers of published articles on a wide variety of cases being handled by LEO—disproving all the pointless double-speak.
I am definitely a supporter of 1st Amendment rights, especially when topics of public interest are on the table. If there is a valid argument for legalizing gambling, may we please see it?
As to the anxiety caused by LEO wearing a mask, I publicly pledge that I will never yell “Boo” in a crowed room.
Posted by abitskeptical on April 12, 2008 at 7:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Some who write between the lines like to pretend that they cannot read between the lines.
"Selective enforcement" generally has a negative connotation--i.e. inconsistent &/or unwise picking & choosing what to enforce.
The ability to "effectively prioritize" generally implies a good thing.
For example:
2 patients arrive in an ER at the same time--beautiful toddler with lip laceration & obese man with MI(heart attack).
The ER doc thinks to him/herself-- working on the lip is more satisfying & the old fat man might die anyway. So doc begins on the child's lip.
The ER doctor sewing up a child's split lip is, in fact, doing his/her job.
But in doing this before attending to the heart attack patient in the next cubicle, he/she is not doing his job well, even IF he/she gets a perfect closure on the split lip.
Get it?
Comparing the 2 methods of operation, selective enforcement & effective prioritizing is not double speak to most people.
Posted by moonpie on April 12, 2008 at 7:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree "lilly", all these posters complaining about the police breaking up a "little friendly" poker game are the same ones that would be busting their chops had someone got killed that night over a huge loss a fellow gambler incurred. The law is the law.
Mayor, why don't you call a tip line if you know of a "big game"?
Posted by lillycollette on April 12, 2008 at 7:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Most people who do not cloud their own minds by disingenuous double-speak have no problem seeing it for what it is.
Posted by JI73 on April 12, 2008 at 7:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Interesting that the P&C choose to put such large, close up pictures of some of these people in their paper. Don't remember them putting this type of pictures of murders, child molesters, drug dealers, or even the Meth Labs they bust. Makes you go hmmmmmmmmmm... I guess these poker players are more of a threat to our families and communities.
Posted by baltimoreraven on April 12, 2008 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
its obvious the news is all about entertainment and humilating people rather then informing us information and photos of violent criminals that would make us safer
Posted by abitskeptical on April 12, 2008 at 8:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Double speak is in the eye(or would that be the ear..or perhaps the agenda) of the beholder.
Posted by lillycollette on April 12, 2008 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is obvious that someone has designated themselves as public defender #1 in taking personal exception to everything I say. I did not realize that my word carried enough weight to initiate such a time consuming personal campaign. Nonetheless thank you for that information.
Posted by svilleswampfox on April 12, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I've said it before....I agree they broke the law, but I think it is a stupid law.
I say we start a Mandy fan club. That is one cute girl. Let's get her a modeling job.
Posted by skeeter on April 12, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Deal me in Mandy!
Posted by DOODGUY on April 12, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What an absolute waste of my tax dollars. Apparently I didn't get the memo that all the violent crime has been solved.
Posted by Mayor on April 12, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Moonpie....Why tip off a poker game? These are people willing to lose what they bring to the table, and the money has been taxed already. They can afford to play. Have we ever heard of a player wacking someone over losing? This poker law has to go away, as should our fornication law. Let's see Big Al go after all the illegal fornicators. Know of a fornicator? Call 1-800-PIPELINE.
Posted by pithy on April 12, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ron_Godzilla - if you check your facts you will see that most of the high, violent crime stats are in the City of Charleston, under the law enforcement jurisdiction of Chief Mullen, or North Charleston, under the law enforcement jurisdiction of Chief Zumult, NOT in the law enforcement jurisdiction of the Charleston County Sheriff's Office.
An outdated law - probably. But if I had 30 or so vehicles parked in front of my house and along my street and large groups of people pouring into my neighbor's house each weekend, I'd probably want the police to look into what was going on. If they found an ILLEGAL gambling operation going on, whether I agreed with the law or not, I'd want them to make it stop.
Posted by BillMan on April 12, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As long as you have a city in Charleston County (N. Charleston) that is making it into a list of top 10 most dangerous cities by the federal government, then spending 10 months busting up a low level card game is an outrage, all of law enforcement should feel ashamed of their profession knowing of the serious crimes taking place in this county while they are out busting up poker games at houses and crashing thomas ravenel's partes! This is unbelievable!
Posted by thesopranpoes on April 12, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
what are you in for...murder. how 'bout you...dealing cards
Posted by SJ1 on April 12, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Just let these people pay their fines then have the law changed and move forward. Personally, I don't think the "new" law should allow games as big as these were inside of neighborhoods simply because of the nuisance it causes the neighbors but if a business owns the building and wants to run an after-hours venue then why not? I like Vegas!
Posted by BillytheKid on April 12, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The courts are overflowing with real cases and the police and the want to be solicitor is wasting time at this. Small fine, small cost next cast.
Posted by native1 on April 12, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Unbelievable.
Posted by ChrisPia on April 12, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Violent crime
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Agency Population Crime*
Berkeley County Sheriff's Office 91,655 691.7
Charleston City Police Department 106,307 946.3
Charleston County Sheriff's Office 80,507 1,070.7
Dorchester County Sheriff's Office 66,326 542.8
Goose Creek Police Department 32,688 235.6
Hanahan Police Department 13,558 663.8
Mount Pleasant Police Department 57,115 337.9
North Charleston Police Department 85,416 1,728.0
Summerville Police Department 34,706 380.3
*Violent crime rate per 100,000 people
** This is by each jurisdiction only**
Posted by ChrisPia on April 12, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
By Post and Courier.
Posted by willx45x on April 12, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Every public "official" behind this ridiculous witch hunt should be either removed from office (by force if necessary) or voted out of office next time around. This is an outrage. And law enforcement wonders why nobody respects them. This is an absolute travesty and miscarriage of justice. Disgusting.
Posted by realman on April 12, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How can anyone complain about gambling being against the law, when we elected the lawmakers into office that made these laws (however long ago)?
If you want to see the abolition of "victimless crime" laws, then forget about the Republican and Democrats - vote Libertarian!
As Americans, they should be allowed to have a poker game. Now, whether they are a neighborhood nuisance is another matter, the neighbors being the victims.
But for a so-called "free and liberal society", we have far too many stupid laws that enslave us!
We are not free!
VOTE LIBERTARIAN!
Posted by realman on April 12, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
willx45x
Are you kidding? The cops are merely enforcing the law! Now, whether it's an effective use of resources is another matter. . .
VOTE LIBERTARIAN!
Posted by abitskeptical on April 12, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The law is on the books, therefore law enforcement was within the job description to enforce it. This part is indisputable.
HOWEVER, as evidenced by the # of posts, many are questioning how all of this was handled, & disputing the judgment used in this "gambling bust".
Questioning the actions & offering an opinion of the behavior of law enforcement is not the same as promoting a "enforce only the laws you like" mentality, nor does it mean that those who take issue with aspects of this case believe it is OK to ignore a law with which you don't agree. It means we have questions, period. Thinking people often do.
Law enforcement officers are public servants. We are the public & certainly have not only a right but a duty to respectfully express our thoughts about how our they are performing in their jobs where the salaries are paid through our own hard work(i.e.tax money).
It is getting rather tedious that those who are satisfied with all of the aspects of this case cannot argue the merits of their point of view without putting a spin on an opposing or differing opinion.
Posted by trm2105 on April 12, 2008 at 11:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
south carolina, too small to be our own country, too big to be an insane asylum.
Posted by Perspective on April 12, 2008 at 1:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So it the police broke up a prostitution ring operating out of the same house would you still be upset over it? Same thing is it not? Just another crime where the only victims are family, friends, and acquaintences of those involved.
Posted by bulldog07 on April 12, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Reading this crap makes me absolutely sick to my stomach. I cannot believe that in a city with such high crime rates we are wasting valuable time and resources on this? This is absolutely whats wrong with the entire tri-county area. There are thousands of drug-dealers and "gangsta" wanna-be's roaming the streets of the entire tri-county area and this is what are "special units" are spending almost a year of their time to uncover. God knows how many drug dealers and thugs could have been taken off the street in that time. Until we all wake up and realize what is going on, nothing will change. Granted what these people did was illegal and they maybe should face some kind of small fine, but these "citizens" all seem to be reasonable citizens who actually hold jobs and contribute to society. What a freaking joke.
Posted by jimmy1370 on April 12, 2008 at 2:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why is gambling bad?
Posted by abitskeptical on April 12, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Can't speak for all who've been critical of aspects of the 10 month undercover operation resulting in a gambling bust, but I, for one, am not a gambling supporter.
I have better ways to spend & "invest" my money.
In my opinion, people who engage in gambling don't have the sense God gave a goat.
While it is true that people often quickly form an opinion when they have a personal interest or investment in an issue, it is equally as true that many people have the capacity to think past their noses & personal agendas.
Posted by BKLYNIRISH on April 12, 2008 at 3:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"In SC, there is a law that makes it a crime to wear those hoods. And the police are not excluded."
Are you ABSOLUTELY SURE that police are not excluded? I believe your incorrect statement has already been put to rest.
Posted by abitskeptical on April 12, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by trm2105
"south carolina, too small to be our own country, too big to be an insane asylum"
That was so great I thought people should read it again :)
I've lived here all my life-except when I went to school in Virginia & lived overseas when my husband was in the Navy. It's easy to forget how "quaint" we are.
Posted by sullivan on April 12, 2008 at 7:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Now let me get this straight : I have been monitoring the place of my birth from the suburbs of Detroit's criminal hip hop mayor ; reading consistently about the drugs and violent crimes , that rival Detroit, and the law enforcement community spends a year of their time and resources on busting & criminalizing decent folks that are involved in what many of the states and communities are capitalizing on to replace the jobs stolen from our country by the greed of those at the top of the worldwide pecking order.
We live in a social and political environment where laws are made ,ignored and chosen for enforcement based upon the convenience of the legal community.
Chances of attorneys being paid and judges justifying their God like composure is better served by taking from the resources of those that have something to lose instead of the "human garbage" violent offenders that they are afraid may pop a cap of in their behind.
Tourism is a large draw to S.C. and the folks that reside there should be able to gamble if they so choose without some unrealistic Puritan attitude, while the criminals are taking over your city.
Is the legal community & state concerned with breaking of the law or not being able to tax the unreported revenue that passes hands; if the later is the case then legalize and tax and fight REAL CRIME with the additional tax revenue.
GMAFB !!!
These people are not criminals ;if you want to see a high profile hypocritical criminal : stay tuned to the "crap" they allow in Detroit and then ask if you want to be like Kwame's kingdom???
Posted by Rebel_Yell on April 12, 2008 at 8:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There's no justice in punishing the shufflers worst than anyone else. $5 a piece and move on folks.
p.s. Lily why did you have to bring the "boo" word into this. and do you really need an explanation as to why a property owner should be allowed to do what he wants on his property as long as it does not hurt others? get real
Posted by outrage on April 12, 2008 at 8:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mayor -In all honesty, how can Al Cannon look in the mirror? I saw him giving a lady a ticket on the way to work. Is that the best use of his time? He really needs to go!
I think you are fibbing, I will check and see but, I don't think he has written a ticket in a long time!
He is the best Leader in law enforcement in the area. GBTS
Thomas1776 - Either we hang together or, we hang separately.
Posted by sumDJiam on April 12, 2008 at 8:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
that chick is pretty hot, hehe
Posted by carolinadude on April 12, 2008 at 10:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mayor,
I resent your comments regarding sheriff Cannon. I know him to be a man of honor and intergrity. is attempting to trash this man the "best use of your time?" Get a life!
Posted by UrGatorbait on April 12, 2008 at 10:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess the card games could be legal if they could figure out how to tax them then South Carolina could self support itself as the largest insane asylum in the nation.
Imagine that people actually have a choice in America to play cards with friends or the people of their choice.
If this arrest is about solving crime and keeping us secure then we are in more trouble than we are already in. Some here are obviously Big Gubmint fans and will blindly follow any law no matter how ridiculous.
Those that give up freedom for security, deserve neither..B. Franklin I believe
Posted by jslotbloom on April 12, 2008 at 10:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mayor, if you're not interested in tipping off a poker game, like you indicated to Moonpie, then why do you keep daring the police to bust the "Big Game" - what's your problem?
Posted by scgirl88 on April 13, 2008 at 12:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I HONESTLY I THINK THAT THIS IS CRAZY!! THESE PEOPLE WORK FOR THEIR MONEY SO IF THIS IS HOW THEY WANT TO SPEND IT THEN LET THEM. ITS NOT LIKE THEY ARE TAKING MONEY FROM OTHER PEOPLE TO PLAY! ITS THEIR MONEY SO JUST LET THEM BE!!
Posted by JohnS on April 13, 2008 at 12:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The dealers were Getting paid $1,300.00 per night plus tips most likely in cash. A good chance each person arrested name is now on the way to the IRS. If you participate in this type of activity there is a good chance you also do other things. Not reporting income can get you five years. Just ask Richard Hatch first winner of the show Survivor.
The gambling charges are minor compared to the other trouble they are in.
Posted by shesson on April 13, 2008 at 1:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Are you people stupid! $1300 a night for dealing? Ever go to Vegas? Ask your dealer what he/she makes a night.
I'm not as disturbed by the raids as I am the ability of people to read a liberal media source and swallow it hook line and sinker.
I wish the IRS luck proving how many nights in the last few years these hardened criminals made their overwhelming income. Not gonna happen my friend. Comparing these people to Robert Hatch is...well...ignorant. Let's see, an "alleged" $1300 compared to a definite million. Yeah thats close.
I do agree that if these people are gambling with this much money in this "type of activity", then they must do other things also. Oh, wait,they do do other things. Most of them are business owners or professionals who happen to make a good living and enjoy poker. Maybe the good living part explains the readiness for some to join the witch hunt without a reasonable assesment of the situation or desire for the complete truth.
Posted by JIM4686 on April 13, 2008 at 12:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have to ask 1 thing. The undercover officer's that was playing was they also charge.