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 Detective Brian Crews of the Shelbyville Police Department examines a case of poker chips that were seized from the office of an alleged gaming house raided by authorities Tuesday night. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo] |
Following a four-month investigation, Shelbyville police, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the 17th Judicial District Drug Task Force, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol, along with an area FBI agent, executed a search warrant on the building where high-dollar poker games allegedly took place once a week.
"People were bragging that this was like 'little Tunica,'" said Det. Brian Crews of the Shelbyville Police Department.
The two accused promoters, 38-year-old James Chad Tucker and his wife Christina Tucker, 37, of Meadowlark Drive, were each charged with one count of aggravated gambling promotion -- a class E felony -- and one count of possession of gambling devices, according to jail records.
The couple were booked into Bedford County Jail and released on $6,000 bond. Four dealers and a security guard were also arrested and charged with aggravated gambling promotion.
A total of 26 players were also each cited for misdemeanor gambling and released. All are scheduled to appear in Bedford County General Sessions Court on Sept. 23.
Authorities seized $48,000 in cash, gambling paraphernalia, a small amount of marijuana and firearms, according to a TBI press release.
Crews said he headed up the investigation, which began after he received information about the alleged gambling operation.
"We've conducted surveillance on the building on several nights and we've also had undercover agents in the building," Crews said.
Crews said the Tuckers had a doorman, Victor Gill, providing security for the gaming house and video cameras covering the outside of the building. Two-way radios were allegedly used so that the operators could know when a player would enter the structure.
Once inside, authorities found four commercial poker tables, each with room for 10 players plus the dealer.
"It was high stakes poker games where they were playing Texas hold 'em," Crews said, with one table having a "buy in" of $1,000, another at $500 and two tables with a $200 "buy-in."
"It was no limit, from what we understand," Crews said of the games.
Players would allegedly purchase poker chips from a cash office set up in one corner of the building run by one of the promoters, Crews said. A player could buy extra chips from the table, but most cash transactions allegedly took place in the office, he said.
"Compared to our surveillance, this was a slow night," Crews said, adding that as many as 50 people would sometimes be in attendance at the gaming house, most of whom were from out of town.
Surveillance had been ongoing for several weeks by Crews, Detective Charles Merlo and an unidentified TBI agent.
 This building at 101 Tillett Circle, directly behind Ascend Credit Union, was the location of an alleged gaming house that was raided by local authorities Tuesday night. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo] |
Players were also treated to a full buffet, free alcohol and cigarettes, Crews said. Two air purifiers to keep the building smoke free were also taken.
So much evidence was taken from the building that it took a large U-Haul truck to carry it away, Crews said.
The TBI were called in because of the size of the operation, Crews said. The raid was conducted by over 25 officers from the TBI, the Drug Task Force and the THP. Crews noted that the Shelbyville police department "simply doesn't have the manpower here to pull off an operation like that without their assistance."
Crews said the gaming house "had gotten out of control."
"They were bringing people in from all over Tennessee, the types of people they were bringing into this town ... they were dangerous people, drug dealers from other areas, as well as people that were arrested for aggravated gambling promotion in another city," Crews said.
The detective was referring to a gambling bust that took place in December 2006 in La Vergne, in which 22 people were arrested, including a couple from Shelbyville, Steven Colbert and Cathy McPherson, who were charged with the promotion of gambling and aggravated gambling, according to a press release from the city of La Vergne.
The pair were two of the 26 people cited for gambling on Tuesday. Crews said the early part of the investigation involved comparing notes with La Vergne authorities about the 2006 arrests.
Crews said the department was sending a message that "this won't be tolerated. It presents a problem for the city as a whole."
"A lot of people think this is a victimless crime, but ask a lot of these guys' wives if this is victimless," Crews said.
Crews also said that police know this isn't the only gaming house in town, stating that others have "opened up over the last few months."
"They've taken off like wildfire; we're just hoping to cut the head of the snake off."
CHARGES FILED
A total of 33 people are facing charges in connection with a raid on an alleged gaming house in Shelbyville Tuesday night.
Charged with aggravated gambling promotion are:
James C. Tucker, 38, Shelbyville.
Christina D. Tucker, 37, Shelbyville.
Neal C. Phillips, 27, Woodbury.
Samuel C. Owens, 27, Smyrna.
Victor G. Gill, 48, Shelbyville.
Andrew W. Craze, 26, Oliver Springs.
Christian E. Jeppsen II, 24, Bell Buckle.
Charged with misdemeanor gambling are:
Gilbert B. McCarter, 78, Shelbyville.
Michael J. Swain, 36, Shelbyville.
Terry W. Johnson, 50, Columbia.
Cecil H. Robinette, 52, Mt. Pleasant.
Larry D. Wilson, 50, Smyrna.
Anthony Boyce, 35, Shelbyville.
Sompong Ouanevima, 33, Murfreesboro.
Steven R. Colbert, 43, Shelbyville.
Cathy D. McPherson, 24, Shelbyville.
Linda S. Pogue, 62, Huntland.
Shannon H. Jennings, 37, Murfreesboro.
Kenneth C. Spasoff, 24, Wartrace.
Robert D. White, 29, Mt. Pleasant.
Bruce Y. Peery III, 30, Dickson.
Nathan F. Forrest, 34, Nashville.
Donald G. Patterson, 59, Fayetteville.
Christohper W. Simons, 27, Shelbyville.
Audie W. Stewart, 57, Nashville.
Gary A Coleman, 58, Lynchburg.
Timothy L. Hill, 27, Unionville.
James M. Leazott, 53, Lynnville.
Christopher S. Yokely, 20, Ethridge.
Hugh T. Herrington, Jr., 24, Pulaski.
James M. Warr, 63, Memphis.
Pamela J. Williams, 53, Bell Buckle.
Carl E. Harris, 31, Shelbyville.
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Hope they made enough gambling to pay their way out of this. Me, I have to work for a living.
Good job law enforcemoent!! Thanks for taking another fun activity away from the public, I guess we should try out drinking and doing drugs -since there is so much else to do in this town/ by the way I hope they show in the pictures all the guns drawn on the players, the cops acted like this was tony montana's dope house. I personally had a automatic shot gun pointed at my head by a shakey trigger finger crazed lunatic(i thought they investigated for 4 months- did they not know we were playing a card game- cards- i will say it one more time CARDS).These lunatics had more firepower than the taliban, why didnt they just bomb the place and take everybody out? oh yeah, they siezed a couple of guns from a vehicle, but did they tell you he is a 65 year old teddy bear with a carriers permit? and ms gail- thank you for displaying your ignorance about the situation-to my knowledge i didnt see anybody buying in for 25$ worth of food stamps. And as for the government getting thier cut, to my knowledge they get a cut off of every dollar i spend, what do you think we do with the money stash it away in a closet, and further more i never remember a complaint by the government for me not claiming my losses for a tax break- give me a break people, i play poker because i love the game, and always will. i have an idea lets all (the poker community) move out of this bumpkin town and take all are money with us. uhhh- ohh, no more campaign contributions. LOL- see yall at the next poker house
All involved knew they were involved in an illegal act because.....
Crews said the Tuckers had a doorman, Victor Gill, providing security for the gaming house and video cameras covering the outside of the building. Two-way radios were allegedly used so that the operators could know when a player would enter the structure.
A FOUR MONTH INVESTIGATION!? If our law enforcement would have spent the same amount of money and time on our drug problem in this city ,we would of had some drug dealers in custody. They had the drug task involved? Gee our there no more drug dealers to catch?
This bust is right up there with the illegal cockfight bust in another area a few months ago. Yes it is against the law but I think there are other pressing issues.
Great job! I at first thought this was a local thing but it's clear to see this was a wide spread operation. These types of people only bring crime with them. POKESALAD has no idea what he (or she) is talking about. It may rank with cockfighting, but there is alos alot of drugs and illegal alcohol at cockfights as well. The poker is just an intertainment, the problem is the criminals that the money brings in.
Just like a good pool hall. I love playing pool, but there is a criminal element that tends to go along with that type of money. Sooner or later, it's going to get out of hand. I'm jsut glad that our law enforcement stopped it and the other "games" in this town can take note.
igotbusted08: FYI I'm thankful this happened. I think the punishment should have been worse. It's a horrible addiction. I'm not saying you are addicted but I know some that are. Some of those & I'm sure you know who they are - have lost everything: home, job, family...etc. Such was my case. It hurts all the people around you. Join my club! I agree there is nothing to do around here. MOVE! I've been through that revolving door and I feel sorry for you people.
You say "fun activity" - you may or may not be one of "these" but have you ever owed one of your poker buddies money you borrowed and lost? Maybe $200 here or $500 there. Is that "fun"? I know those of you who stress out because not only did you gamble your paycheck, you borrowed from your neighbor at the table. Doesn't sound like much "fun"? Also what happens when the day comes that one of your lenders - harms you? That is the problem with gambling. It leads to other crime. So again take your next poker game to another town. Ruin someone else's life!
I know you can never convince an alcoholic that he's got a problem. So you will never see that this addiction is not just a "fun activity" so pack your bags! This bunpkintown doesn't need you or your money!
and igotbusted08..... You lay down with dogs. Lucky you didn't get your fool head blown off.
Busted08 keep your butt out of places like that and you won't have to worry about getting your head blown off. The way it sounds there wouldn't be a great loss of intelligence if the trigger had went off.
I feel sorry for the kids that any of these adults arrested might have.....those kids deserve better!!
LOL @ greeneyes statement.
igotbustedo8, I'm glad you had a gun pointed @ your head. If you have nothing to feel so guilty about than why are you so mad? This is not some big city where we have to sit back and watch while people like you keep breaking the law sir or madam. If you go to a honk tonk and drink it is legal. But when you leave that place and get behind the wheel of a car and drive than you break the law. If these games had been harmless, there would not have been drugs, guns and an armed gaurd at the door. I hope they break them all up. Along with all the gangs and dope pushers. I'm sure igotbusted will bounce back and find another game by this week-end. If you do, I hope you get busted again. So just shut up and take your medicine like the man or woman you are.
It seems like alot of time and resources for a card game, when there are so many other glaring examples of illegal activity going on around here.
Regarding the cock fighting issue,it is a terrible mistreatment of animals. I am not a tree hugging liberal and I don't care for birds, but it is a vicious sport. Busted08 is obviously a gambler & a mean spirited person. I think I would keep my whiney complaints to myself. Got any cheese with all that wine?
Have none of you ever bought a square on a race board, or participated in a pyramid or chain letter? Never played a poker/slot machine in any one of the stores in Shelbyville? Played Bingo? Bet which horse wins the Horse Show? Bet on a Football Game? It's all illegal gambling in Tennessee.
How many of you even knew this was going on at 101 Tillet Circle? I have seen no crime sprees in the newspaper about violence there, have you?
This was not a Las Vegas Operation they weren't taking in millions of dollars. They got $48,000 from 26 people, less than $2000 a person. I have seen people walk in stores and buy more lottery tickets than that, of course that's legal because the state and county is getting their cut from that. You never hear about the victims of people spending their checks buying lottery tickets.
Personally I would love it if they put a Casino Boat on the Duck River.
I guess we all should be careful when we say "I bet you I can beat your bowling score" LOL
Greasmonkey, how much more ILLEGAL can you get? This is a glaring example of illegal activity. As Gomer Pyle would say, "THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!" for all the time, resources, and intelligence it took to expose this! I appreciate each department that had a part in this. Thanks Again!
I PLAYED AT THIS GAME AND IT HAS ALL BLOWN OUT, NO GUNS WERE FOUND IN THE BUILDING OR DRUGS, THEY FAILED TO STATE THAT,, ALL GUNS AT PERMITS AND WERE IN THE CARS NOT IN THE BUILDING......WE WAS JUST PLAYING CARDS. I THINK YOU SHOULD KNOW FACTS BEFORE YOU SAY ANYTHING....THANKS CHAD AND CHRISTINA,,I AM WITH YOU ALL THE WAY....
SUCH NAME CALLING AND ALL OF IT IS A LIE, YOU ARE PROBALY THE ONE ALL THIS IS TRUE ABOUT OR ARE YOU JEALOUS.....PAM HARRIS IS NOTHING LIKE THAT BUT I THINK YOU ARE SO WHY DON'T YOU SHOVE IT OR TELL THE TRUTH YOU NEED TO NOT THREATEN PEOPLE IT COULD COME HOME TO YOU
SUCH NAME CALLING AND ALL OF IT IS A LIE, YOU ARE PROBALY THE ONE ALL THIS IS TRUE ABOUT OR ARE YOU JEALOUS.....PAM HARRIS IS NOTHING LIKE THAT BUT I THINK YOU ARE SO WHY DON'T YOU SHOVE IT OR TELL THE TRUTH YOU NEED TO NOT THREATEN PEOPLE IT COULD COME HOME TO YOU
-- Posted by pch980 on Thu, Aug 14, 2008, at 2:00 PM
I didn't read anywhere in this blog where anyone was called names? What are you talking about? The only thing I see is that some are mad about being busted, most are glad these people got caught...no name calling.
I didnt say it wasnt illegal, my point is that it seems like a big waste of resources for a card game. Kinda like having the state troopers, city and county stake out a stop sign to make sure no one runs it.
Nice job of law enforcement.
Ive never understood the need for extended surveillance as shown by a four month investigation which equals 16 times this was in operation.
Law enforcement certainly endeavors to stop bank robbers with the first time its done ect ect ect.
Why do we need to allow operations like this to go on and on. Is it more illegal after the 12th offense or something ??
Maybe now that we have these vicious poker players off the streets our law enforcement staff can spend a bit more time focusing on Crack dealers and amphetamine dealers.
Both of those substances certainly cause a great more grief to the users, their family and friends than does a poker game.
Seriously, do you think that EVERY officer we have has spent 4 months non-stop working on this case? Of course they haven't. Why can't you just be appreciative that they have succeeded at closing down one gambling house, rather than being a critic? If you have problems with everything our law enforcement officers do, why don't you suit up - strap up - and get out on the road and do better?!?!
I smell a rat " "Compared to our surveillance, this was a slow night," Crews said, adding that as many as 50 people would sometimes be in attendance at the gaming house" why would you bust them on a slow night? Some higher up folk must have not been there on this night. They have staked it out for 4 months just to blow it all on a slow night.
Hold your head up Christina and Chad. It will work out.
I was wondering if Crews made a bet with the other officers who's picture would be in the paper the most, cause if he did then he won the pot!! OH wait....... that would be illegal wouldnt it??? Yea I know about that bet
WAY TO GO JOHHNYREB!!! You are right, I think our money could have been spent more wisely, and on issues that really matter, but I guess cause we have a new sheriff in town money is not an issue. Where is Clay Parker?? Boy one thing for sure he knew how to catch the drug dealers and it never took him 4 months to do it.
Am I out of the Loop or what?
Who the heck is Pam Harris?
ALL OF YOU OUT THERE, HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE PLAYED POKER? IS IT SUCH A CRIME? THERE WERE A LOT OF NICE PEOPLE WHO OWN BUSINESSES AND WORK FOR A LIVING . NOT EVERYONE IS BAD, WHO ARE YOU TO JUDGE? JUST BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE A POKER GAME AND NO DRUGS OR GUNS WERE FOUND INSIDE BUILDING........ KNOW THE FACTS, BEFORE JUDGING SOMEONE
All I have to say is Crews looks good in the picture. Way to go Brian!!
IT'S LEGAL IN LAS VEGAS,AND TUNICA,MISSISSIPPI.A CASINO BOAT ON THE DUCK SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD IDEA.SEE IF SOMEONE IN THE TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE WILL BACK SUCH A LAW.GOOD LUCK!
Life Long Citizen....said it best. Quit freaking complaining and do something about it. Ohhh wait you wouldnt want to put YOURSELF in harms way for someone else....Oh no...that would be HUMANE....
Your cry-baby ranting gets old.
Illegal poker games every week.....What happened to staying home with you family or going out as a family?
I don't feel sorry for any of them and shame on anyone blaming the law enforcment for doing their job.
They might need to look into the mirror as well!
YOU ALL HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO BUT TALK ABOUT SOMEONE LOOK AT YOUR OWN LIFE
Bellow is the current Tennessee law on gambling. If you think it needs to be changed contact your state representatives.
Jim Tracy sen.jim.tracy@legislature.state.tn.us
Curt Cobb rep.curt.cobb@legislature.state.tn.us
Tennessee Code
28-3-106. Recovery of gambling losses.
Actions to recover money or goods lost at any kind of gambling or betting, and paid or delivered:
(1) If brought by the loser, shall be commenced within ninety (90) days next after such payment or delivery;
(2) If brought for the use of the spouse, child or children, or next of kin, within twelve (12) months from the expiration of the ninety (90) days;
(3) If by a creditor of the loser, within twenty-four (24) months from the end of the ninety (90) days.
Anti-Gambling Laws
39-17-501. Part definitions.
As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) Gambling is contrary to the public policy of this state and means risking anything of value for a profit whose return is to any degree contingent on chance, or any games of chance associated with casinos, including, but not limited to, slot machines, roulette wheels and the like. For the purposes of this chapter gambling does not include:
(A) A lawful business transaction;
(B) Annual events operated for the benefit of charitable § 501(c)(3) organizations that are authorized pursuant to a two-thirds (2/3) approval of the general assembly, so long as such events are not prohibited by the state constitution; or
(C) A state lottery of the type such as is in operation in Georgia, Kentucky, and Virginia in 2000 and authorized by amendment to the Constitution of Tennessee, if such lottery is approved by the general assembly;
(2) "Gambling bet" means anything of value risked in gambling;
(3) "Gambling device or record" means anything designed for use in gambling, intended for use in gambling, or used for gambling;
(4) "Lawful business transaction", as used in subdivision (1), includes any futures or commodities trading;
(5) "Lottery" means the selling of anything of value for chances on a prize or stake; and
(6) "Profit" means anything of value in addition to the gambling bet.
39-17-502. Gambling - Defenses. -
(a) A person commits an offense who knowingly engages in gambling.
(b) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section, which must be proven by a preponderance of the evidence, that a person reasonably and in good faith relied upon the representations of a gambling promoter that a gambling activity was lawful because it was an authorized annual event pursuant to title 3, chapter 17. It is not an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that a person engaged in a gambling activity that was not an authorized type of lottery game pursuant to title 3, chapter 17.
(c) The offense of gambling is a Class C misdemeanor.
39-17-503. Gambling promotion.
(a) A person commits an offense who knowingly induces or aids another to engage in gambling, and:
(1) Intends to derive or derives an economic benefit other than personal winnings from the gambling; or
(2) Participates in the gambling and has, other than by virtue of skill or luck, a lesser risk of losing or greater chance of winning than one (1) or more of the other participants.
(b) The offense of gambling promotion is a Class B misdemeanor.
39-17-504. Aggravated gambling promotion.
(a) A person commits an offense who knowingly invests in, finances, owns, controls, supervises, manages or participates in a gambling enterprise.
(b) For purposes of this section, "gambling enterprise" means two (2) or more persons regularly engaged in gambling promotion as defined in § 39-17-503.
(c) The offense of aggravated gambling promotion is a Class E felony.
39-17-505. Possession of gambling device or record - Forfeiture. -
(a) (1) A person commits an offense who knowingly owns, manufactures, possesses, buys, sells, rents, leases, stores, repairs, transports, prints, or makes any gambling device or record.
(2) It is not an offense for a person to own or possess in this state a lottery ticket originating from a state in which a lottery is lawful, if the ticket is not owned or possessed for the purpose of resale.
(3) It is not an offense for a person to knowingly own, manufacture, possess, buy, sell, rent, lease, store, repair, transport, print or make any gambling device or record if the device or record is owned, manufactured, possessed, bought, sold, rented, leased, stored, repaired, transported, printed or made pursuant to the provisions of title 4, chapter 51, part 1 and title 39, chapter 17, part 6.
(4) It is not an offense for a person to knowingly own, manufacture, possess, buy, sell, rent, lease, store, repair, transport, print or make any gambling device or record if the device or record is for the purpose of conducting an annual event pursuant to the provisions of title 3, chapter 17, and part 6 of this chapter.
(b) (1) Any gambling device or record is contraband and shall be subject to seizure, confiscation and forfeiture in accordance with the forfeiture provisions, codified in chapter 11, part 7 of this title.
(2) After a gambling device or record has been forfeited to the state pursuant to chapter 11, part 7 of this title, the court hearing the criminal charges resulting in the forfeiture shall order the destruction of the device or record. If the district attorney general or law enforcement agency does not believe that a gambling device or record should be destroyed in a particular case, the district attorney general shall petition the court for an alternate disposition of the record or device. If the court finds that the proposed alternate disposition reasonably ensures that the device will not be used in an unlawful manner in this state, the court may grant the petition and order the disposition of the device or record in accordance with the petition.
(c) Possession of a gambling device or record is a Class B misdemeanor.
39-17-506. Lotteries, chain letters and pyramid clubs.
(a) A person commits an offense who knowingly makes or aids in the making of any lottery. For the purposes of this section, "makes or aids in the making of any lottery" does not include:
(1) Ownership or possession in this state of a lottery ticket originating from another state in which a lottery is lawful, if the ticket is not owned or possessed for the purpose of resale; provided, however, that nothing in this subdivision (a)(1) shall be construed as preventing the sale of lottery tickets or shares under the authority of the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation; or the sale of tickets, shares, chances or similar records for an annual event pursuant to the provisions of title 3, chapter 17, and part 6 of this chapter;
(2) The Tennessee Education Lottery operated pursuant to title 4, chapter 51, part 1; or
(3) An annual event operated pursuant to title 3, chapter 17, and part 6 of this chapter.
(b) For the purposes of this section, "makes or aids in the making of any lottery" includes the organization of, membership in, or solicitation of persons for membership in any chain letter club, pyramid club, or other group organized under any plan whereby anything of value to be given by a member of the club or group is to be given to any other member of the club or group, which plan includes any provision for the increase in membership through a chain process of new members securing other new members and thereby advancing themselves in the group to a position where the members in turn receive things of value from other members.
(c) An offense under this section is:
(1) A Class C misdemeanor if the aggregate amount of money involved in the lottery, chain letter, or pyramid club is fifty dollars ($50.00) or less;
(2) A Class B misdemeanor if the aggregate amount of money involved in the lottery, chain letter, or pyramid club is more than fifty dollars ($50.00) but less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250);
(3) A Class A misdemeanor if the aggregate amount of money involved in the lottery, chain letter, or pyramid club is two hundred fifty dollars ($250) or more but less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000); or
(4) A Class E felony if the amount of money involved in the lottery, chain letter, or pyramid club is ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or more.
39-17-507. Customer referral rebates unlawful.
(a) With respect to a consumer sale, consumer credit sale or consumer lease, the seller or lessor may not give or offer to give a rebate or discount or otherwise pay or offer to pay value to a buyer or lessee as an inducement for a sale or lease in consideration of the buyer or lessee referring or giving to the seller or lessor the names of prospective customers or lessees, or otherwise aiding the seller or lessor in making a sale or lease to another person, if the earning of the rebate, discount, commission or other value is contingent upon the occurrence of an event subsequent to the time the buyer or lessee agrees to buy or lease.
(b) If a buyer or lessee is induced by a violation of this section to enter into a consumer sale, consumer credit sale or consumer lease, then such transaction is hereby declared to be a lottery and the agreement is unenforceable by the seller or lessor, and the buyer or lessee, at the buyer's or lessee's option, may rescind the agreement or retain the goods delivered and the benefits of any services performed, without any obligation to pay for them.
(c) Any person offering to sell or lease goods or services in violation of this section commits a Class C misdemeanor.
39-17-508. Premiums at fairs.
It is lawful and not in violation of this part for a person, upon complying with the rules of public fairs, to enter and contend for any and all such premiums as may be offered at such fairs.
39-17-509. Preemption.
The general assembly, by enacting this part, intends to preempt any other regulation of the area covered by this part. No governmental subdivision or agency may enact or enforce a law that regulates or makes any conduct in the area covered by this part an offense, a violation, or the subject of a criminal or civil penalty or sanction of any kind.
ALCON,
Question???????? A major corporation in Shelbyville is SACTIONING Al Queda to bed down in Bedford County...BEDFORD COUNTY, TENNESSEE....and ALL "Task Force, TENNESSEE BEREAU OF INVESTIGATION, and SHELBYVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT" can do to justify their existence is bust up an "alleged" gambling house. SHELBYVILLE,- PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE (with a cherry on top),WAKE UP! These people PAY taxes. Don't be duped by IDIOTS.....IDIOTS trying to save face by the ball THEY dropped in support of the Global War on Terrorism. (WE are still at War, you do know that-right?) They got CAUGHT and EMBARRASSED by the rest of the nation. So, now they have to save face to the rest of Tennessee???? That's ALL this is about.--- (Joke?) What does Shelbyville, Tennessee and Waco, Texas and Ruby Ridge, Washington have in common???---NOTHING!!!!!!!!
i personally wish shelbyville would apply their efforts more toward deploiting illegals that are taking over our country with their so called businesses. if they went in and checked their statis they would be overwhelmed with scam artist that dont particpate in the growth of our economy. now thatwould be american bravery at its best cause all real americans pay real taxes. i am also an american card player hre and tunica too.sorry my bad
The fact of the matter is, IT'S ILLEGAL. Apparently they had someone snitch on them or they probably wouldn't have been so easily caught like a lot of drug dealers, etc. should be. Unfortunately, our fine police officers cannot be everywhere & know everything going on in this town. They do sometimes rely on "tips" from the public. Oh, and believe me, if it was that easy to take care of the illegal immigrant population, our officers would be the first to do it. There is only so much they can do on a local level.
By the way, greeneyes, yes, Brian does look fine, doesn't he?
I like the ideal of "Duck River Gambling Boat". What a cute ideal..... (will it keep my property taxes down?). Heck, I am all for it. With gas so high... it would say tons in gas instead of driving to Tunica. It is hard for me to say Tennessee is a no gambling state when the state and the PEOPLE sanction a lottery.
This bust was a BUST... but out of the 26 people... They will get 11 29 probation.. a fine....
I really thought it was legal to gamble in a private club...
Crews is a complete waste of taxpayer money if he is spending this much time to raid a poker game. Why is so much focus put on one or two guys with a record instead of the fact that 95% of the people charged are business owners, some very wealthy, and citizens with respectable tax paying jobs. You cannot hide the fact that this is a complete waste of time for police to go through these measure to shut down a harmless poker game. You here any reports of criminal activity over the last year from any of these people charged? I didnt think so.
This is real simple folks. The "non poker playing community" has got to be educated on what poker really is. It is a pasttime for people that want to unwind and play cards. If you raid a church service, you will find the same percentage of "violent" offenders and people with past records.
Its not the poker game that is the problem. It is the fact that there is a ridiculous and silly law on the books. That is the problem here!
You judgmental non poker players and law officers keep spending all your hard earned money on brand new cars, boats, and anything else that keeps you broke your entire life. Some of us choose to play cards with our money.
The laws have to be changed! The financing charges on new cars, money lost on brand new car purchases, gas prices, and many more issues are far worse than poker when it comes to ruining financial lives of Americans...so lets raid all new car lots and force people to wise up and buy used cars!!
mark.geeting, what major corporation are you accusing of such actions?
You know what floors me? That people sit here and attempt to tear at your heart strings by talking about "the kids" or "the wives" of these people that have lost sooooo much because of this, but yet how much have they lost in the four months of this investigation? I would absolutely love to see the cost to the tax-payers for this extended investigation.
The officers certainly did what they were instructed to do, I DO NOT fault them for that. I would fault the head of the agency that allowed four months of surveillance for a crime that they knew for a fact was occurring. That person should be arrested as an accomplice since they were, in fact, ALLOWING GAMBLING ON THOSE PREMISES FOR FOUR MONTHS!
And to all of you that sit there at your computers and talk about the people that are "addicted to gambling, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN ADDICTION TO GAMBLING!
i was just wondering it says in the paper that a small amount of marijuana was found in one of the vehicles but how come nobody was charged with possesion.WAY TO GO DRUG TASK FORCE!we see that you guys or not doing your jobs very well.looks like we need a new task force.
Quite Honestly I have never understood why Tennessee can not have a Riverboat Casino. I see no difference in that and the lottery. We might as well have the money from the taxes instead of giving that to Illinois or Miss.or Indiana. If I want to gamble I will gamble regardless. I can go to Nashville or Murfreesboro and catch a bus that takes me to a Casino at any one of our neighboring states for 39.00 and brings me back and even supplies me with a room. It also amazes me that I can sit at my computer here in Tennessee and gamble til my hearts content but I can't gamble at my private resident with real people. But alas here in the Bible Belt we had to go through pure H*** just to get the lottery. But we have no problem with these same people who oppose gambling complaining because of high taxes, no money for school, no money for roads.
And Union even at private clubs it is illegal in Tennessee. Don't you remember a few years ago when the Moose Lodge was busted for Bingo (of all things) and what did they get 6 old ladies and some Bingo cards.
And while I am on this soapbox: I believe the American Public should demand a Federal Lottery. Just look at all the money Tennessee has generated, just here in Tennessee. Think for one minute what a Federal Lottery could do to lower our National Debt!!
At least with a Federal Lottery Your Grand children would not still be paying for the Iraqi War.
HA HA! I think its funny!
I THINK PEOPLE NEED TO STAY ON TOPIC AND QUIT NAMING PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS GONNA BE A LAWSUIT AND ALL RECORDS ON THIS IS GONNA BE RETRIVED ALSO THIS IS SLANDER
I just want yall all to know that coming from a family where your father is a gambler is really hard. There is money missing plus the big thing is the time that is taken away from the famlies. It is illegal for a reason and the law is the law! The people saying all this stuff should have to be a child or live in a house with a gambler when it doesnt matter how good you are or what you do its just not as important as the addiction and yes it is an addiction Thom! Im not making excuses at all they deserve more than what they will get and I mean the ones that got the misdemeanor charges also they will get nothing really thats why they will keep doing it.
I've known Chad my entire life. He's a good-hearted person and it makes me sick that he's being lumped in the same category as drug dealers and "dangerous people". I've never known him to be either of those things.
I'd also like to add that I am more than a little irritated by the fact that our tax money was spent on a four month investigation into poker.
Yes, poker is illegal, but in my opinion, it's a hypocrytical law to begin with. Basically the state of TN believes that gambling is a victimless crime as long as you're purchasing a lottery ticket. If you're playing poker, betting your neighbor $5 that the 88 car will win at Daytona, or playing bingo with Aunt Martha, you should be locked up.
I don't think we need a poker task force. I think what we need are new lawmakers. The officers were just doing their job, unfortunately. If the laws were changed, they could focus on more important things....like ridding the streets of Shelbyville of mullets and banana clips.
THE REASON THEY ARE SAYING THINGS ABOUT PAM HARRIS IS BECAUSE THEY ARE TRYING TO SAY SHE GOT THE GAME BUSTED, SO THEY ARE SAYING EVERYTHING THEY CAN BECAUSE THEY ARE MAD, THEY NEED TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR THEY GOT THEIR OWN SELF IN THIS , NO ONE ESLE DID ALSO THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A GAMBLING HOUSE THIS BIG IN BEDFORD COUNTY AT ANY TIME
By the way, I do agree that gambling addiction exists.
I also believe in alcohol addiction and have personally smoked more than my share of cigarettes. In my opinion, alcoholism is one of the most damaging addictions in the world. Having said that, you can't (and shouldn't) make every single thing that you deem problematic illegal.
If that's the way it worked, I'd be buying Hershey's chocolate on the black market.
A law is what it is. A LAW. Some people dont like the SSA but they still have to follow it. Quit harping on the laws that you dont like and just abide by them or get your butt busted or get your name in the paper. I still think its funny... HA HA!
If that was directed toward me, I said, "If the laws were changed". In case you are unaware, the people in this country DO have the ability to change laws.
Maybe if you spent more time reading a book or two and less time laughing at people, you'd know these things.
Have a great night.
They knew it was a crime or they wouldnt have been hiding it. They got caught and now its time to pay. Just abide by the laws of the land and you wont find yourself in these situations. Its a good law. HA HA!
If I were were in law enforcement, i would have warned them law enforcement knew that gambling was taking place there, and if it didn't stop immediately action would be taken.Instead they chose to raid the place, gambling the lives of law enforcement officers and players. I have been told by several they were terrified that one officer yielding an AK was going to shoot them.
My THANKS to a superior who told him to calm down and sit down.
The Tucker's and all the others made a bad mistake, now they must pay.
Hopefully others will learn form it.
Just because you don't like the law or think it's not fair doesn't give you the right to break it!
If you do the crime...you must pay the time!
This is for mrrightorwrong or what ever your name is you should really keep to whatever it is you do because it sounds like you are just a little jealous you must have tried it and didnt get what you wanted and as for the other creatons as you so kindly put it yes they were lucky but i guess they were not as stupid as you think they did not have people going around braggin about what they were doin so i would say they were pretty smart to be morons huh? chad was just as much to blame as everyone else and just because he was nice does not mean that he was not dirty so before you go talking about all these other people who have been luck enough not to get caught maybe you should be saying how smart they were because if this place had scaners and all that then maybe they would have had enough since to listen to them dont you think. you should'nt go puttin other peoples names in your mouth you should really be minding your own business!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
With all the honorable mentions here I can't help but notice that one of the larger promoters of this illegal activity has yet to be mentioned!!!!!!!!!!!!!He doesn't even live here, he's from Coffee county actually............come on you know who it is......ummmmmmmmm...........hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmohh..oh yea MR STRAWBERRY. now the list of career criminals is finally complete.
Its always funny to see people pointing fingers. I really feel safe knowing the "gamblers" are off the streets tonight!!.Good luck Mr. Tucker thru your hard times. Everyone has made a wrong decision or 2 in life. All the "perfect" people in this town must have forgotten that
He may fall into the moron section like the rest of them. I just wanted to complete the list. You know who you are strawberry. You should be ashamed of yourself. It's a shame you would subject poor, inocent, people to the things you did. A real shame, you brainwashed many into thinking what they were doing was ok. You should have went up with them and maybe you guys could bet which one would get out quicker!
devon,
You are from Shelbyville, right?
I am going to probably sound really stupid by asking this, but here goes.......how do the people that run the gaming house make their money? Do the players pay so much to enter the games? I read that it was as much as $1,000 to play at some tables, so does that $1,000 go to them up front and then the players just bet whatever once they are in the game? You know, just by reading how far some of the people came to play here and personally knowing some of the ones that are from here, I doubt very seriously that the fine that will probably be the outcome of this will be nothing more than an inconvenience of writing the check to pay it. I don't see any of them wondering where thier next meal or money to be able to pay bills will come from. If these people have enough money not to care if they sit down in one night and lose a couple of thousand, do you really think a fine is going to phase them?? Not sure if it was this story or the first one I read, but someone asked who owned that building, I am guessing James Farrar.
Oh yeah, I meant to add to my comment.......Brian does look HOT!
devon,
You are from Shelbyville, right?
-- Posted by mark.geeting on Thu, Aug 14, 2008, at 11:35 PM
Yes I am.
this name calling and slandering people can be liable for a lawsuit and i see one coming
I am going to probably sound really stupid by asking this, but here goes.......how do the people that run the gaming house make their money? Do the players pay so much to enter the games? I read that it was as much as $1,000 to play at some tables, so does that $1,000 go to them up front and then the players just bet whatever once they are in the game? You know, just by reading how far some of the people came to play here and personally knowing some of the ones that are from here, I doubt very seriously that the fine that will probably be the outcome of this will be nothing more than an inconvenience of writing the check to pay it. I don't see any of them wondering where thier next meal or money to be able to pay bills will come from. If these people have enough money not to care if they sit down in one night and lose a couple of thousand, do you really think a fine is going to phase them?? Not sure if it was this story or the first one I read, but someone asked who owned that building, I am guessing James Farrar.
-- Posted by titansfan on Fri, Aug 15, 2008, at 6:08 AM
______________________________________________
I think the house takes a percentage of the money won on each hand. That is how online gaming works, I'm told. The more people who are involved in a particular hand, the more "action" there is. If the house takes for example 1% of each hand and the winning pot size for that hand was 100 dollars, then the house would get 1 dollar out of that pot. I don't know that this is how this particular "gaming house" was run, but I'd be willing to bet it was.....Ooops.....Better go into hiding now...;^)
Slander aint nothing but a fine, so do what you have to do.
Well whether or not people like cards or not and how tax dollars are spent are somewhat irrelevant in this situation. The point is there are alot of harmless card games going in Shelbyville, I could personally bust several. I have already heard the hoodlum alley gang is taking the week off and I have nothing to do with this stuff. What I am saying is if I know about it and my fourteen year old tells me thats where so and so's dad plays cards there every morning when I take her to school. That's where you screw up, personally I have better things to do with my spare time and money but where you make a mistake is when everybody in town knows about it, including my fourteen year old. So having said that I am glad they busted it.
Money talks folks. Crime will never come to a close. There is curruption not only in law enforcement, but every venture where there exists Big Business(large amounts of fiat money). I'm not one for pointing fingers, at either the law or our friends who were raided, so my views will be non-obtrusive and to the point. God knows what is in each mans heart, and he shall be judged accordingly. Keep your head up, all who were raided. And to the Law, keep doing your jobs, but please strive to be open minded with each case individually and don't let the "protection" of a badge outweigh love for your neighbors and the hope that there exists some good in every man. Peace and Love, DENO
Wasteofspace the name certainly suits you! The only waste would be if Brian risks his life to help you. It's easy for you to sit in your little safe enviornment and make dumb a-- comments like that. Brian risks his life each day trying to ensure idiots like you can take up space in our community. Get a Life!
This is to SCHC Parent, you should be worrying about the police getting called to the school on the first day more than your 14 year old talking about a little card game, would you rather your 14 year old talk about card games or the drugs thats being found in the lockers at his school. I would rather my kid get caught with a deck of cards than a bag of pot. which is worse??? I think you agree with me
Greeneyes we get your point, Crews is your husband I think we all know that here now.
Crews made a statement in the paper that the gambling house got out of control, but think about this there has been games in bedford county for 10 years or more, not once have I ever heard the law getting called cause of problems with any of them. Never had there been a fight or even loud noise. Can you please explain how out of comtol was it, and on top of that how many of you even knew it was there, if you are a honest person I am willing to guess 98% of you didnt.
Well Mr Molder it shows you dont know much about poker, becuase there are limits to what is took in any card game, online, casinos ect.....
It seems to me by just reading the comments here there are a lot of people who have a personal interest in this subject:
For me being on the outside looking in: I had much prefer gambling being allowed with people who were hurting no one than having drug dealers trying to sell my child drugs. If we are having to choose the lesser of two evils.
With that said playing poker is the least of my worries in this town.
Yes it is against the law but so is a lot of other things that go on in Shelbyville and they seem to always get pushed under the rug.
It still makes me wonder if we are going to be as active about gambling in the next couple of weeks at the Horse Show grounds. Anybody who knows anything knows that it has always been there. But I guess that is just one more thing that is swept under the rug. It's funny how we seem to look the other way when it comes to what happens at the Horse Show?
Truthhurts you have also shown your stupidity! I am old enough to be Brian's mother! Brian has helped my family and is a great asset to our police force. Brian has a great compassion for young people. He doesn't go soft on them, but he deals with them with respect. He has kept many young people from messing their life up and changing directions! When dealing with criminals he plays no favorites! If you break the law he will arrest you. If we allow unrestricted gambling in our community other crime will follow. I am so glad I don't have to live in a community with strip clubs, porn shops and gambling. If people want that they need to move to Vegas! Whats Trash in Veges belongs in Vegas!
I am not a card player. I know several people that are. There is several large card games going on all around town.....some right up under your nose...and nothing has been done until now. Sounds like to me that someone made the wrong person mad. Isn't that funny how that works. I just wonder why it is that this card game was the one busted. I am not upset that it was. This has been going on for years in this town. I didn't think the buffet looked as if it was of Tunica quality. Wonder if the players were mailed comp tickets to the buffet. LOL......If everyone is so worried about gmbling why do we have poker machines in every store around. Oh I know they say they are legal. OK OK.....but every month I see the store parking lot full on the first of month. When you go in they are not lined up at the counter buying tater logs.....they are wearing our their arm on the poker machines. Maybe if the people would have been awarded prizes of baseball cards they could have avoided all this. You poker machine playes know what I mean. Has anyone won an origianl Micky Mantel card lately? I wonder if the departments read these.....if so you know Bryan Crews who I don't know...is catching hell from Chuckey Merlow who I do know. I love a good ribbing.....so Bryan if you do read this take it on the chin.....My wife thought you looked hot too. Maybe as a fund rasier the department can do a calender of all the hot guys from the departments. Chucky start working out you may be chosen to be Mr. March.
All in fun guys!
After reading many of these comments, I'm convinced that our tax dollars would be much better spent on education.
I'm just sayin'.
Crews and the Drug Task Force hard at work wasting tax payers money. Someone really wet in their Cheerios. How about doing something about Drugs for a change.....oh, sorry. Not too many snitches for you there. And that might take a some real detective work.
Maybe as a fund rasier the department can do a calender of all the hot guys from the departments.
-- Posted by ANOTHEROPINION on Fri, Aug 15, 2008, at 10:52 AM
Unless they have hired some new studs in the last couple months, there's not enough hot guys on the force to fill a full 12 month calendar...maybe just make one to finish out this year.
Oh, and it's Mickey Mantle.
be careful what u wish for..If they bust every poker game in town it will make alot of kids unhappy seeing thier grandfathers in jail...Spend the tax money on something important..I personally think our sherriff didnt have alot to do with this just for the simple fact he was probably trying to catch murderers or rapists not the big bad gamblers!!..Tax money well spent guys..One more question, did the officers in the raid enjoy the free buffet???..
No government, nor any group of people, has any right to force someone else to use his/her own money or property in any way other than the way he/she personally chooses.
For all you people who say, "If you're not doing anything wrong, then why are you hiding it?" These gamblers were hiding it because its ILLEGAL and they dont want to go to jail. Just because something is illegal, doesn't mean its wrong, evil, or immoral. Many laws are evil, such as any law that regulates what people can do with their own property. There is nothing inherently evil about gambling. The christian bible is not the American lam
All you religious do-gooders, who want to keep gambling illegal, for the sake of the children and the wives, need to get off your high-horse, and mind your own business.
You idiots just don't get it. Is the card playing bad...no. It's the criminal element that goes along with this type of thing. Where there is gambling, there is money (and lots of it) therefore you have another criminal element that wants that money. Why do you think they found guns and guns in the cars of some of the players.
This was no..."boys night out let's have fun thing" this was a known operation and apparently across the state.
Just keep up your belief that this was a waste of time on the side of law enforcement, but this action taken by the police stopped something before it really got out of hand.
Criminal element?
Elaborate Please..
Metropolis IL has a Riverboat Casino which takes in millions of dollars everyday. So by your standards Metropolis IL crime rate should be through the roof.
But as you can see by the links provided below they are only 1% higher than we are..
Shelbyville's Crime Rate 71%
http://www.townhunter.com/TownHunter/cit...
Metropolis Crime Rate 72%
http://www.townhunter.com/TownHunter/Cit...
Evansville IN has a Riverboat Casino
Crime Rate 65%
http://www.townhunter.com/TownHunter/cit...
Las Vegas NV is 79% just 8% above Shelbyville's.
http://www.townhunter.com/TownHunter/cit...
Kelby999 wrote
"No government, nor any group of people, has any right to force someone else to use his/her own money or property in any way other than the way he/she personally chooses"
Of course they do. You can't pay to have someone killed. You can't pay bribes to land a building contract or get a favorable rulling from some commissioner. You are limited in the amout of money you can donate to a political campaign. You can't give ten bucks to your favorite highschool player. You can't even give your own child more than $10,000 without reporting that on your taxes.
Although your liberal mind may not like it, these control measures are in place to insure our society moves forward. Apparently you need to move to some place where you can make your own rules. Where would that be???...hmmmmmm??? No place, because every county has rules to be followed. Even in Vegas, you can't run your own unlicensed gambling operation.
Metropolis IL Riverboat Casino is a legal operation and is thus protected and has safegards in place that greatly reduce the criminal element.
If they want to make casino gambling in TN, I'm all for it. Let's put a boat on the mighty Duck River. At least it can be regulated and controlled. Seriously, the money that Nashville could make would be astounding. I have no problem with legal gambling activities. It's the illegal places that also breed the criminals and the danger these criminals pose. Do you think that someone from the Illinois Gaming Commission is going to kill you if you can't pay your debt. I assure that an illegal operation would not be so "friendly" if you go into debt and can't pay.
Casino's have security and safe guards to protect the Casino not the city. The crime rate listed is city crime rates, not crime rate for the Casino. If there was violence happening at this gaming house then I could honestly say it was a draw for such violence but there is no evidence to support that fact.
And in all Honesty I can guarantee you there was not 200 people in this entire town that even knew this gambling house was even here.
Which I find amazing in it's self because usually the town knows everytime you go to the bathroom here in Shelbyville.
Oh Yea People don't owe Casinos money because you can't play on IOU's at a Casino. Loan Sharks loan you the money and if you think for one minute these guys won't break both your legs for a hundred bucks think again.
kelby9999 the dictionary defines gambling as--to lose or squander by betting. I think you squandered your education. Your comment was about the most asyine thing I have ever heard.
Gambling goes on everyday. These people got caught. They will get a fine, pay lawyers, court costs ect.. Speeding is illegal too. We do that (and when I say we I mean ALL OF BEDFORD CO) everyday. When you speed you put lives in danger. But yet we still do it. Gambling... whose life is in danger? And of the list of people that were "busted" who has put their family in Jeopardy? They got caught, that sucks. They were not hurting you, only themselves.
So before you get up on your soap box and preach about all the wrong doings of others, look at yourself.
Brian and all the other officers did a fine JOB. IT IS THEIR JOB. So get off them.
Well Mr Molder it shows you dont know much about poker, becuase there are limits to what is took in any card game, online, casinos ect.....
-- Posted by truth hurts huh on Fri, Aug 15, 2008, at 10:43 AM
Quiet honestly, I could care less. If I choose to do any gambling, I go out of State and play a little blackjack on occasion. Haven't had the money to do that in several years, but when I did, I did it legally. I was only attempting to explain to her the basis of how the House makes money. Please excuse my ignorance on the limitations of how much the house takes.
EVERYBODY GOT CAUGHT AND NOW THEY PAY WHY DOES THIS STUPID STUFF HAVE TO GO ON PEOPLE NEED TO MIND THEIR OWN BUSINESS AND STOP SAYING STUFF THAT THEY KNOW IS NOT TRUE, EVERYONE IS NOT PERFECT NOT EVEN YOU... CHAD IS ONE OF THE BEST PEOPLE I KNOW ...HE IS NOT A CRIMINAL JUST BECAUSE HE PLAYS POKER .....
EVERYBODY GOT CAUGHT AND NOW THEY PAY WHY DOES THIS STUPID STUFF HAVE TO GO ON PEOPLE NEED TO MIND THEIR OWN BUSINESS AND STOP SAYING STUFF THAT THEY KNOW IS NOT TRUE, EVERYONE IS NOT PERFECT NOT EVEN YOU... CHAD IS ONE OF THE BEST PEOPLE I KNOW ...HE IS NOT A CRIMINAL JUST BECAUSE HE PLAYS POKER .....
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionar...
definition: crime
1. an act or the commission of an act that is forbidden or the omission of a duty that is commanded by a public law and that makes the offender liable to punishment by that law.
2. criminal activity.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/c...
definition: crim·i·nal
1. relating to, involving, or being a crime.
2. relating to crime or to the prosecution of suspects in a crime.
3. guilty of crime
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionar...
definition: Illegal
1. not according to or authorized by law
2. not sanctioned by official rules
Illegal gambling is a crime. He may be the nicest, most caring, giving individual to ever walk this earth, he got caught red-handed, by definition he is a criminal.
Granted, there are worse crimes going on in this city even as we sit here. But the fact remains, he committed the deed, got caught, needs to pay the price...GET OVER IT.
OOOPPPSSS! Greeneyes......you blew it....Asinine....grab that dictionary next time and help yourself too!
took a friends advice on spelling i guess you did get me :)
i wish everyone the best
I am just wondering why the ones charged with a misdemeanor was not in the jail intake? I know it may sound stupid but was they not arrested?
The ones charged with a misdemeanor were cited. They didn't have to be held in jail so they were not on the intake.
anyone know of a good game around?..I am bored and the city needs to meet quota!!
When are they going to raid Wal-Mart?It has gambling paraphernalia in the store.Dice,poker chips,cards,oh and what about the toy crane in the lobby.You put in a dollar with the CHANCE to win a prize or walk away with nothing.Sounds like gambling to me.
I also think the City of Shelbyville promotes gambling by having a carnival on city property.You put up your money with a CHANCE to win something or walk away with nothing.Sounds like gambling to me.
What about the T.W.N.C.You pay an entry fee to put in a horse with a CHANCE to win larger amounts of money,or walk away with nothing.Sounds like gambling to me.Oh I forget they are above the law.
Golf scrambles?A team puts up hundreds with a CHANCE to win more .There is one of these almost every week in Bedford County during good weather.Hummmmmm put up something for a chance at nothing.SOUNDS LIKE GAMBLING TO ME !!!!!!!!!!
So all they have to do is pay a little fine for breaking the law, dang maybe I should go out drinking. You get more for public intoxication than they will probably get and thats just a person being drunk without driving doing nothing more than they were, so just because they wasnt hurting no one does not mean that they were not breaking the law and should be punished for breaking the law the same.
Isn't it a sad reflection on our community that all so many people have to do is yah yah yah back and forth about this ILLEGAL activity that was eliminated from our community! I guess people really are bored around here, which explains why "the game" is so important to them. Most of these comments are so ridiculous, and seem to be written by the very people that were participants in "the game". Someone has already explained that paraphanalia is only that when used for ILLEGAL activity, but when you're on the defense, it's hard to understand that it's OK for Wal-mart to sell cards, and it's OK for me to go the the Celebration. Others have explained the pitfalls and hardships experienced by those associated with ILLEGAL activity, whether drinking and driving, murder, rape, and yes even gambling. The people associated with it are not going to see with any amount of reasoning because they want to play "the game", however, if they take off their blinders and reflect on their own lives they will see that most of them have already experienced problems in their personal AND professional lives, which is why they are where they are today. Instead of arguing back and forth in an effort to justify your actions, use that energy to do something that will IMPROVE your family life and your own life improve, too. And yes, since most of you were absent during English class in your elementary years, you might want to sign up for a basic developmental English/grammer course, or even get your GED!
To the person who asked who Pam Harris is.....If you don't know her, then it looks like you run with the rest of us...I think we are better off not to know from all I have read. Someone said she is married to Captain in either Sheriff or Police Dept.....now I find that kind of a conflict of interest, don't you? Seems she goes by Harris, but is actually married to David Williams, the Captain. One question does concern me, why was the Sheriff's Dept. not in on this investigation..why was the Drug Task Force used.....Crews must be running for some political office, like maybe Sheriff??????
If you got blow your money, find someone that need HELP! That can't afford to go to the Doctor and pay for there medicine. Or buy food for there family and pay the rent for maybe this month!!
Don't say you can't get hurt or KILL. Does anyone remember "Jerry Cooper" he was suppose to been grambling at someone home, just a small poker game. Which went on for awhile or every week. He found out the hard way. It was said he was kill because he owed some money nad couldn't pay it. So they kill him and drop him off on the side of the road. This could be someone here, because they going to get there money one way ot other.
?? Ok Instead of taking your vacation to Dollywood or to the Beach: Give that money to somebody who needs it for their doctors bills, or food and rent. People who gamble enjoy it just as you would enjoy the beach or any other place you decide to go on vacation. The end result is the same when you get home from vacation, what do you have to show for it? Wasted money is wasted money, isn't it?
Too funny. Shelbyville has been called everything from Little Chicago to Little Mexico. I guess Little Tunica is better than either of the other two.
Jerry Cooper was my uncle. Never knew he was a gambler. I've herd plenty of other reasons for his murder, but never that.
tnwoman1948,
Are you serious? To suggest that someone not take a vacation after a year of hard work and PLANNING and give it to someone who is probably NOT working is simply the most ignorant notion I have heard in a long time.
What ever happened to personal responsibilty? I realize there are those that truly need assistance OCCASIONALLY and a little help I will happily give. But the individuals that are truly deserving of assistance, would rather pluck out their eyelashes one by one than expect someone else to keep them up.
WAY TO GO JOHHNYREB!!! You are right, I think our money could have been spent more wisely, and on issues that really matter, but I guess cause we have a new sheriff in town money is not an issue. Where is Clay Parker?? Boy one thing for sure he knew how to catch the drug dealers and it never took him 4 months to do it.
-- Posted by truth hurts huh on Thu, Aug 14, 2008, at 3:47 PM
Just curious do you know the sheriff works for the county and not the city?? Perhaps Clay Parker is still working towards that law degree. Of course, now it's on his on time and dime versus the county's
If these people had been abiding by THE LAW... the city would not have HAD to waste their time and our money on this kinda crap. Just obeying the law would save soooooo much time and money.
I respectfully request that the next time the TBI "busts" an alleged poker game. Would they please give someone other than officer "McShaky hands" the AR15.
If your a trained law enforcement professional,there is no reason to shakily brandish a automatic firearm at someone, who has both hands on their head, and has complied with all your previous instructions. I dont mind the officers doing there jobs, but it would have been nice. If they had given the AR15 to someone other than that bundle of nerves TBI officer struggling to hold his gun still, while it is pointed at my head. btw after 4 months of survelling the place , and having informants in the building. You would think they would have realized there was no need for all the guns/hardware. or the shaky handed idiots carrying them....
While I am sure an "undesireable" element is attracted to town because of such a big game (and it was indeed VERY big by the standards of most folk that played there) I have not even heard of an incident of drug use or sale nor of violence at Chad's game.
Further, there is something for Shelbyville to be proud of en re the other games in town (one of two in mind was 99% tournaments, the other half and half): the clientele was highly mixed racially but not a single racial incident I ever heard of happened at either one. Indeed, to quote Father Mulcahey: "Such jocularity! Such jocularity!"
This must at least cast some doubt on the idea that the poker games in general lead to criminal (ie, here, destructive) behavior.
Yet, I am sure the incidence of previous trouble with the law was quite high in those games, what with a 20s age predominant among the generally assertive, if not aggressive, clientele. Perhaps such prior young-man's troubles are not a good measure of undesireability.
But let's not assume it is only the young who play poker. I have heard of a game (now closed down?) where a raid would have collected half a dozen players, average age over 75.
What a PR coup that would be!
But, violence or not, I am very sure that some players have hurt themselves terribly with their continued losses.
One game owner, I understand, wanted to protect himself from obvous great contribution to such self-destructive behavor by requiring a minimum "buy in", rather than let a player lose a relative little, purchase a few more chips, lose them, buy in again, etc. Peer-bond sledding on a very slippery slope toward the illusion of a rainbow's end.
Chad's, I understand, had both a minimum and a maximum except at the BIG table, which also had a minumun. Limiting the maximum protects the minimum buy-in players.
The worst that can said of Chad, I hear, is that he kept detailed records the IRS can wield like gatlings against those big game players, the ones that won. And maybe the little guys who dare imagine a loss offsets a win for tax purposes.
And those records were confiscated?
[As were, it is said, loan records with interest rates, etc.
And payouts to police informants?]
Now THAT is gambling, playing winning big-money poker at a game that in effect might help the IRS convict you of tax fraud, should you not report your winnings (so few would, right?).
Perhaps the winners are very lucky that the raid on this relatively new game did not happen until after tax day.
What if the Tuckers got a City and County Business License. Had a business name like "Try Your Luck" Game shop. Got an EIN. Hired workers to run the business, hired a CPA to keep up with the income and paid taxes on it. Made everyone that came in to play have to give Name address, and DL# show ID, and sign a form stating they are responsible for paying their own taxes on their wins. Would this be considered Legal?
There is a TV program called Wipe-Out, Gladiators, and Fear Factor. They are entertaining and people competing can win money. It would be neat if we could have a game like this at the Horse Show Grounds since it can hold a large crowd of people, and it's designed so everyone can see the competition. Once a month Shelbyville could advertise this activity taking place sell tickets for say $10.00 a seat for those that want to see this game, and $30.00 for persons that plays as a contestant to win a prize. It could turn out to be very FUN AND ENTERTAINING, AND EVEN PROFITABLE for Shelbyville. Someone can win ($,$$$.$$ at least $1,000.00 and up), or maybe a car or something depending on how well tickets sell, crowd show, participation, etc. Companies and Businesses may decide to sponsor some gifts. They could have a Male competition, a Woman competition, a Couples competition, or Both male and female competing each other. Just a thought.
What if the Tuckers got a City and County Business License. Had a business name like "Try Your Luck" Game shop. Got an EIN. Hired workers to run the business, hired a CPA to keep up with the income and paid taxes on it. Made everyone that came in to play have to give Name address, and DL# show ID, and sign a form stating they are responsible for paying their own taxes on their wins. Would this be considered Legal?
There is a TV program called Wipe-Out, Gladiators, and Fear Factor. They are entertaining and people competing can win money. It would be neat if we could have a game like this at the Horse Show Grounds since it can hold a large crowd of people, and it's designed so everyone can see the competition. Once a month Shelbyville could advertise this activity taking place sell tickets for say $10.00 a seat for those that want to see this game, and $30.00 for persons that plays as a contestant to win a prize. It could turn out to be very FUN AND ENTERTAINING, AND EVEN PROFITABLE for Shelbyville. Someone can win ($,$$$.$$ at least $1,000.00 and up), or maybe a car or something depending on how well tickets sell, crowd show, participation, etc. Companies and Businesses may decide to sponsor some gifts. They could have a Male competition, a Woman competition, a Couples competition, or Both male and female competing each other. Just a thought.
-- Posted by Momof3&3step&1gran on Sun, Aug 17, 2008, at 7:02 PM
This may be one of the dumbest entries ever.
This may be one of the dumbest entries ever.
-- Posted by bedfordcounty on Mon, Aug 18, 2008, at 6:41 AM
Your comment might be the most disrespectful ever. If you have nothing nice to say, why say it at all!
That was very disrespectful bedfordcounty.
Momof3 I still believe it would be gambling though just because the city is sponsoring the event would not make it legal.
According to the "law" when you wager money at a chance to win something it is gambling. I am not sure how they get away with selling raffle tickets legally though?
But it does sound like a fun idea and I would definitely be there :>)
Dear momof3and3stepand1grand, if your scenario were true, and this operation became a legitimate business and not a front for something else, then we probably wouldn't be dealing with the same people anymore. Making it legal would take all the fun out of it, once they began paying taxes on all their earnings and dealing with all the paperwork and red tape involved with being a respectable business. This way all the profit (and interest) from loaning money to people who lost more than they could afford to lose, went into their pockets, unlike most earnings from legitmate businesses whose taxes come off the top. Once the expenses start eating into the profit there goes the lavish bars, buffets, and free perks to hand out to their clients. I just don't understand the simple mentality of all the people who want to openly accept this type of behavior. Everyone wants to say what a great guy this person is and he just made a "mistake", well, did the guy whose picture was on the front page the same day as this story broke, who raped two little girls just make a bad choice, and because he was young should we just overlook his little "mistake"? God forbid! Crime is crime. A mistake usually occurs spontaneously without much forethought. It seems to me this entire operation was well planned, ititiated with a purpose, and probably had more supporters and backers than those mentioned. I don't know Mr. Tucker, and I'm sure he's a likeable person, but when it comes to "making mistakes", I think he has made more than one which has led him to become a fall guy, and with the support and encouragement of some of the bloggers I've read, if he listens to them, he'll continue to make mistakes. "Fools rush in where wise men never go".
In Japan you could go to the slot casino and buy tokens to play the slot machines with, but you could not cash the tokens in for money. Instead someone outside of the casino would give you cash for your tokens. Selling tokens is not illegal, buying tokens is not illegal.
Comparing gambling to raping a child is absolutely preposterous .
You can't possibly equate non-voilent crimes, such as gambling, jaywalking and speeding to things like murder, rape and incest.
That's quite possibly the dumbest thing I've ever heard.
Nobody's Fool, ask any family member of someone who has been murdered for owing gambling debts if the two crimes can be compared. Just as you can rationalize and make concessions for illegal gambling I can discern the evil from the good, and I can see no good end to any of this!
Unless I'm missing something, none of the people involved in this case have been accused of physically harming anyone. Even if they did, that in itself would be a separate crime.
While the two would be linked, that wouldn't mean that all gamblers kill, any more than it would mean that all killers gamble.
I just think that such broad generalizations are socially irresponsible.
As a semi-professional online poker player I found this story obviously quite interesting.
While it is true that is possible for someone to "lose a paycheck they borrowed from their neighbor" at one of these type games, the majority of the poker-playing community would never allow such a thing to happen because of the friendships that these players build up at the tables.
Also, keep in mind, poker is a game of mathematics and odds.
The local drug lords and petty thugs are not going to frequent a poker game because they are all about making a quick buck. Poker games last all night for a reason. Sometimes it takes several hours for a person's skill level to be revealed and for them to actually garner an edge over the competition. Whereas, in a craps or blackjack game, the results are instantaneous. Degenerate gamblers and thrill seekers (drug users/dealers) would be MUCH more inclined to get their "quick fix" of either going broke or making lots of money at those types of games compared to a poker table, where it is not uncommon to not even play a single hand for an hour or more!
There obviously have to be winners and losers, but, for the most part, these games are very friendly and there is a greater social aspect to these games than most players realize.
I did not frequent this game but I know that most poker players are kind-hearted and would visit the same game if they were playing for play money chips (as long as the buffet was still great!).
So, in that sense, I think a select few have lost a legitimate social hangout. And for that, I am sad.
-BrettTheJet
Using the "if someone is killed for their gambling debts" argument is simply asinine. People are murdered for driving down the road at times. So...all drivers are murderers. I wonder if you drive...would that make you a murderer as well? I drive and I've never murdered anyone that I'm aware of.
Any person of questionable character that is owed money by someone who has lost that money gambling would have to be an absolute imbecile to kill them. That ensures that they will NEVER get paid. It may happen on rare occasions, but it's not very frequent.
write attitude, you have to be one of the most ignorant people I've seen on here. You cannot compare this to the rapist case. If so, everyone who gets a speeding ticket would end up on death row. Please become a little, just a little, more human before writing again. It amazes me how people like you can function in everyday life. Yes the promoter (s) of the operation did wrong in the laws' eyes, but to go as far as to compare it to the case you mentioned is assinine. And I'm sure you are one of the few people haere that have not a single illegal thing on your record, or do you? shut up and live a little. A final word, the human nose has several functions, but sticking it where it doesn't belong isn't one of them.
mr-right-not-wrong, "methinks you protest too much". Things that are not "wrong" do not need so much defense. You have a right to defend your opinion, just as I have the right to defend mine without name-calling and insulting remarks. I don't mind a good debate as long as it is done tastefully and respectfully. I will not make any further comments on this subject, because I have stated my position and will not budge from my convictions, regardless of how ignorant you perceive me to be. I do function very well every day, thanks for your concern, and have done so for many years. I do not appreciate being called ignorant, stupid, or inhuman; and I especially resent being told to "shut up", especially since this site is designed to share your opinion. If you had called me "opinionated" I could accept that as constructive criticism, but your remarks are very insensitive and from my point of view also seem inhuman. I rest my case.
This may be one of the dumbest entries ever.
-- Posted by bedfordcounty on Mon, Aug 18, 2008, at 6:41 AM
bedfordcounty, I do not claim to KNOW IT ALL like I'm sure you do. According to some of the post below, gambling is considered illegal because their are no "Track records of money flow, and Uncle Sam is not getting his cut" So my question was to "ANY ONE THAT MAY KNOW" if they had gotten a business License, EIN# since they are hiring more than 4 employees, and had a Certified Public Accountant to do the finance records, and paid in to the IRS on the income would this make it legal.
Maybe it was a dumb guestion to you, regardless If you don't know something you ask. I was curious to know so I asked.
When the carnival comes they have games that you pay money to play and win a prize. I have known people to sell raffle tickets to win a prize usually a TV. Their are games at the game room and a Pizza joint in Tullahoma to win prize and even money on the quater toss machines, Walmart has games to play and win a prize. Just the same as playing pocker, all these games you pay for the entertainment with a chance to win SOMETHING whether it be winning the game itself or a prize of any kind. What makes some things legal and other things not? The size of the money won that can be won or lost? Any game can be addictive, and people that are determined to win can blow alot of money on a game trying to win.
I would not doubt that their are money wages that are placed on the horses when the Horse Show is in town. I would not doubt if their are some Drug use, or sale of drugs among some of the Horse Show Crowd either. Their was some VERY ANGRY people a year or two ago that broke out at the Horse Show. A realitive of mines heard them calling for other police out of town to come and help over the police scanner, I don't think they even put that in the newspapers; So this obviously can turn into a VIOLENT SITUATION as well. But I gaurantee you they will not shut The Horse Show down for fear of Violence, Gambling, and Drugs......
Thanks for explaining Daina.tn.
The Tennessee Lottery was approved to be here, It is considered legal and I know people blow alot of money on this as well.
I wish they did have a "Wipe Out" type of game I would love to see it, even if it was teachers competing against teachers at another school to win new computers, or students competing against other students to win a Trophy. It would be great entertainment.
BrettTheJet:
The NoLimit games are NOT games of mathematics and odds, certainly not 'live'.
Limit poker? Yes, to a considerable extent.
But live "brick & mortar" NoLimit is a game of will, concentration, patience, and psychological competence, with your actions depending on the other player "right now", far more than on pot odds, or even mplied odds.
Which is not to say there aren't situations where the long-run odds are important, but what IS right "now" is the major factor.
writeattitude;
Things that are right often need extensive and intensive defense: child labor laws, minimum education laws, abolition, desegregation, civil rights - including the vote for women.
An argument somewhat related to yours was the idea that the guard at Chad's/Farrar's was about the police.
No. It was about being robbed.
Which is a double-edged argument, of course, since it implies the anti-big-game position: gambling invites violent criminal behavior, gun-pointing being violent with or without a shot being fired.
all i can say is let the police do theres jobs and people quit putting the down they done what they thought was right so leave them alone you people are just mad because you did not catch them.
I think every one should be thanking our law inforcement for doing a great job instead of putting them down, what the people were doing was illeagle.
I have written my response to this story just like you other readers.Let me tell you.I had alot to say about this raid,our cort,etc.The writter of this page wrote and told me.My comment was sent elswhere.Then the comment I wrote ,mysteriously got lost.They told me they can't locate it.What it was,My Comments were letting ya'll know the truth about some people in this 'little Chicago town" SO I steped one some toes.If ya'll want to read some truth of what I know 110%.Go to "BLOGS" John Carney.laung out lound is the letter.If they put this one through!
Well I don't know about it being illeagle but it is illegal. Just as driving over the speed limit, driving with a head light or tail light out, writing a check and trying to beat it to the bank, not wearing your seatbelt, driving on the road in a golf cart or 4-wheeler, driving without insurance or a license, running a stop sign.
But did you know in Tennessee it is illegal to shoot any game other than whales from a moving automobile. It is also illegal to use a lasso to catch a fish. (but if you can do that I personally would like to see it)
And be sure not to go to Memphis because it is Illegal for a woman to drive a car unless there is a man either running or walking in front of it waving a red flag to warn approaching motorists and pedestrians. (I know some people here in Shelbyville that would be a good law for though)
-- Posted by laughing out lound on Wed, Aug 20, 2008, at 11:15 AM
THIS is a mystery: you can spell "mysteriously", but you don't have a clue how to spell "court", "writer" or "loud". I can't wait to read your original blog entry. LOL
time2relax Sorry I've never used a computer befor.I'm going to make mistakes with these keys till I get more practice.I do know 110% ,of what I'm talking about.Like I said at one time.I could really tell all kinds of things,of the gambling here.Alot of other stuff first hand.TG can't published them.They'd get sued.One day,you're read the paper and see some officials kid ,our spouse arrested.BUT!You're never here of it again.Some can ,some can'.t.Arrest one .Arrest all.
If you're not in the courthouse click you're screwed.
laughing out lound:
I will agree with you on one thing. I used to work for a small time attorney (he was the butt of many jokes) in this town. His teen-age son stayed in trouble. He was either fighting in school or getting caught with drugs. Even after he reached an adult age, he still stayed in trouble and somehow or another, you would never see his son's name in the paper. Then again, this lawyer was a smooth talker when he needed to be; but a smart-a**, cocky and arrogant S.O.B. most of the other time. He also had money falling out his butt, he bought his son's way out of everything.
I could care less about gambling but if it is illegal it should not be allowed by anyone. I hear there is alot of this going on in town and some VIP's are involved. I think the Tucker's were low enough on the VIP list to get busted so the others would be warned and cool it for awhile or move elsewhere.
iraiseyoumelvin:
You're right. Odds have 0% relevance in no-limit poker games and it's all just about 'feel' and 'right now'.
LOL.
You know it's a real shame that many of you think some laws are OK to break and others are not...what's up with this?
Don't get me wrong some things are worse than others, but when it comes down to it....you reap what you sow and if it is a law and you break it...well, you will have to suffer the consequences! This is not a new philosophy...I know some of those "caught" and whether they are good people or not..THEY BROKE THE LAW!!!!
As far as wasting our tax dollars, are the cops only to enforce some laws??????
-- Posted by BrettTheJet on Sun, Aug 24, 2008, at 5:03 PM:
=========
iraiseyoumelvin:
You're right. Odds have 0% relevance in no-limit poker games and it's all just about 'feel' and 'right now'.
LOL.
=========
Well, BrettThe'Jet', please read what I said that belies your paraphrasing of what I said, then please try again. Perhaps fuel prices have prevented properly powering up your guidance system :
==============
But live "brick & mortar" NoLimit is a game of will, concentration, patience, and psychological competence, with your actions depending on the other player "right now", FAR MORE THAN on pot odds, or even mplied odds.
Which is NOT to say there aren't situations where the long-run odds are important, but what IS right "now" is the major factor.
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