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GoogleAndrew Welsh Craze and Samuel Cory Owens were both charged with one count each of aggravated gambling promotion, a class E felony, and will be sentenced Nov. 5 by Circuit Court Judge Lee Russell.
Sentencing can bring a term of one to two years in jail and a $3,000 fine.
Both men remain free on bond but are not allowed to take part in any gaming activity, Russell ordered, and their travel is limited to middle Tennessee with the exception of child visitation.
 Andrew Craze, left, and Samuel Owens listen as Judge Lee Russell announces the verdict of the jury on Tuesday. Both were found guilty of aggravated gambling promotion. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo] |
Thirty-three people were caught in the raid; seven were charged with felonies and 26 others with misdemeanor gambling.
Authorities said during the trial that the raid occurred on "a slow night" and that as many as 50 to 60 people would participate.
The raid followed an investigation by the Shelbyville Police Department, the 17th Judicial District Drug Task Force, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Officers took $48,000 in cash, gambling paraphernalia, a small amount of marijuana and firearms in the raid.
In July, the alleged ringleaders of the gaming operation, James Chad Tucker and his wife, Christina Tucker, entered guilty pleas in Eastern District Federal Court in Chattanooga.
The Tuckers were indicted in March on violation of 18 USC 1955, prohibition of illegal gambling businesses, according to federal court documents.
The two other card dealers, Neal C. Phillips and Christian E. Jeppsen II, have already pleaded guilty in Bedford County to their involvement.
Guard talks
Most of Monday's testimony came from members of the Shelbyville Police Department, the TBI and one of the undercover officers that played in the casino, who detailed the investigation.
One of the witnesses testifying Tuesday was Victor Gill, who worked security at the casino. He said he was paid an average of $80 to $100 a night for watching the parking lot and the door of the building.
Gill said he was paid by Chad Tucker and was introduced to the dealers, including Craze and Owens, as well as witnessed the ongoing poker games inside the establishment.
The security guard also testified that Owens claimed that he would make anywhere from $500 to $700 a night dealing the cards, but also testified under cross-examination that Craze wasn't present for some of the game nights, which typically occurred on Tuesdays.
Gill has already testified before a federal grand jury in Chattanooga about his involvement with the Tuckers' operation and pleaded guilty to an amended charge of facilitation of aggravated gambling promotion earlier this year.
Dealers speak
Owens also took the stand Tuesday, and was questioned by defense attorneys about his responsibilities at the gaming house. He said the operation was completely run by the Tuckers and that his only job was to deal the cards, for which he received an average of $250 per night each week in tips from players.
But under cross-examination by assistant district attorney Mike Randles, Owens admitted that he knew what he was doing was illegal and that there would be no gambling unless someone was dealing cards. Owens also testified that he collected a "rate" for the house from each of the winning pots.
Craze took the stand as well and did not deny dealing cards or taking tips, but he said he got no "cut" of the proceeds from the Tuckers. He also said that he was no part of the enterprise, but "just dealt cards."
Both of the dealers also claimed they weren't at the gaming table when the police raided the building, but were in a back room.
However, when Randles asked Craze if he was collecting the rate from each winning pot that would go to the Tuckers, Craze admitted he did and that he cashed in chips with the Tuckers that he was given as tips.
In the closing arguments, Randles said that both men participated in the illegal enterprise and that it "was not a friendly game around a dining room table."
"The house didn't make a penny without these guys," Randles said.
But defense attorneys said that the alleged dealers should not be found guilty of aggravated gambling promotion, but a lesser charge.
Attorneys for Craze and Owens also said that Randles "wants to make a big deal about dealing some cards," when it was the Tuckers that actually ran the illegal casino.
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This is stupid. Stupid law, stupid story and stupid sentence. If people want to play poker, what is the big deal?
Dont get it... Oh right, its because taxes werent collected.
I forgot.
How is this different from going to the store and buying a scratch off, or buying a raffle ticket for a local charity?
Considering marijuana and firearms were also involved, I can see this being a bad situation no matter what your opinions is on gambling.
The form of gambling these people were doing was illegal . . . if you hate that fact then work towards changing the law. Until then, these people knew they were breaking the law and now must pay the consequences. Enough said.
corywh
You forgot "stupid people". When the law specifies the boundaries of which gambling is legal, and people gamble outside those boundaries it is ILLEGAL. You play, you get caught, you pay!
I guess you think it's stupid laws that say you can't drive while under the influence, or it's illegal to shoplift, or any of the many other things that might just be enticing to do. If you want to do it, JUST DO IT as Nike says, but there are somethings that when you do it, you pay the consequences. American laws, American ways. God bless America!
My question is, what forms of gambling are legal, and why some and not others?
You know, writeattitude, I've listened to your holyer-than-thu smack for a while. One FINE DAY we'll be driveing along in our cars and I hope that it's you we see pulled over on the side of the road, getting verbally chastized and having to pay a ticket, higher premiums on insurance and whatever else that goes along with that. I also hope that ONE FINE DAY you are just in the wrong place at the wrong time and some green, rookie cop just wanting to impress his boss/buddies decides to play show and tell with an AK-47 in your face for an hour and a half. These people are YOU only with bad judgement. Not drug heads and drunk drivers etc. Or, you could just think for two seconds before you put your fingers on that keyboard again.
Cornelia.Marie,
It seems like to me these people were in the wrong place all the time. i don't understand why so many people don't see these people have done something wrong, they broke the law. It's as simple as that.
There are differences between violent and nonviolent crimes. Was there not a pervert who only got sentenced to 1 yr. not too long ago. And these boys are looking at 1 to 2 yrs. There were no victims here. (unless you consider them victims of Victor "THE RAT" Gill) But every group has a coward. And Mr. Jaxspike, can you tell me who got arrested for drugs and guns? Nope, didn't think so.
Hey Aw Man:
There were three guns seized that night, and one of the gamblers was taken into custody by the FBI for drug trafficking charges.
I find it ironic that you call someone else a coward while hiding behind your anonymous screen name. At least Victor was man enough to testify in open court.
Thank you oh my. As for Cornelia.Marie, If I get pulled over for doing something wrong, I deserve whatever consequences that follows. I'm not gloating over the fact these people were caught, but I definitely WILL NOT condemn the law officers and the TBI for doing their jobs. As for the AK-47 in someone's face, I would never expect officers to enter a place like that without proper protection. Who knew what was behind those doors that required an armed guard to protect. You can deride me all you want, and all I can say is I won't stop typing, but you can stop reading anytime you just can't take the heat any longer. Sorry I hit a nerve.
Anyone remember reading/watching a documentary about the hayday of organized crime? What was one of their main sources of revenue other than alcohol during prohibition?? Illegal gambling. Bloodhound brings out a very important point...lots of major criminals hide among these types of operations...many people, as is evidenced by some of the comments on here, think that gambling is no big deal. Folks just looking to place some bets or play a game of chance get involved and network with other gamblers, the dealers, the owners, etc. Those major criminals use all that networking to build their business/customer base. They hide in plain sight committing major crimes like drugs and weapon trafficking and the crimes that come along with all of that. This raid was not totally about the owners of the gambling house, albeit that was a HUGE part of it. But law enforcement knows that businesses like that draw some seriously unsavory characters that we do NOT want hanging around in our community. Many of the people arrested in that raid were not local...so that business drew those people to this area to participate in illegal activities. Is that really what we want our town to be known for?? Frankly, I think what all those law enforcement agencies did is great. And I would hope that if they got information that something similar was going on again, that they would do it all over again.
Writeattitude I agree with you 100%! Tell it like it is brother!!
"How is this different from going to the store and buying a scratch off, or buying a raffle ticket for a local charity?"
a much higher probability of winning.
That's an easy question greasemonkey. The issue of which is legal or not originates back to what can be taxed easily or not.
The issue of making something legal has nothing to do with any issue of right or wrong unfortunately. It becomes about the ease of taxation when the decision is made.
-- Posted by Moral Monkey on Thu, Oct 1, 2009, at 3:27 PM
Really? strange Las Vegas has no problem taxing gambling or Tunica or Biloxi or the g-zillion other casinos around the US.
I think the Duck River would look good with a Riverboat Casino sitting on it :>)
Is playing poker at a residence on saturday night then illegal also? Or is that just if you deal the cards? So there were 3 guns in there. How many do you think are in the parked cars at church on sunday?
Bloodhound, who was arrested for guns or drugs? If someone was taken into custody for drug trafficking, then where were the drugs, where were the guns. Where were the names of the people who got arrested for having this in their possession? A drug trafficker with no drugs! WOW! Not that good at his profession to say the least. Typically they have the picture of the guns and drugs that was confiscated on the front page. Hmmm, must have missed that edition. And Victor Gill was made to get up there in court as part of his plea agreement. And yes snitching apparently does work in the system cause looks like he is the only one who got lesser charges. And I very seriously doubt your real name is bloodhound, so guess that makes you a coward as well.
Writeattitude, the guard was not armed, and they knew exactly what was behind the door. Yes they should have expected the unexpected but from what I understood they kept these guns on people even after the raid and everyone was cooperating. And if you got pulled over for a speeding ticket and got more time that someone who got pulled over for drunk driving, then yes, you would be upset. I don't think a crime was not committed. I just think those boys shouldn have to do 1 to 2 years in jail for it.
Jtjustice30, you sound like a pro, have you organized a crime ring before. Bedford County is already known for illegal activity, Tyson brought that reputation to town. I don't see the law enforcement out there shutting them down. And unless law enforcement is ignorant, they know other games are still goin on in town.
Dianatn, If there was a casino, these nay-sayers would be the first dang ones there and the last ones to leave. But it can only be for locals though because out of town people are bad, bad, bad for our oh so perfect community!! lol
We've even got Native Americans who could run it.
(I still think we ought to use it to play Apples to Apples.)
Like Chattanooga,we could have literal floats on the river for parades,carolers in Dickensian wardrobe selling hot beverages and snacks along the waterfront,fireworks reflected in the water (even when i's too dryfor them on land) and special events like parties,plays,benefits and live music on board the paddlewheeler.
Gamers could play for something other than legal tender.
(Perhaps,coupons that would be redeemed at local businesses?)
The proceeds from entry fees or chips could go to support the waterfront's activities plus local charities.
A little transparency could prevent illicit gambling,improper drug use and tampering with any rubber duckies that competed in a local race.
I LOVE IT QUANTUMCAT, JUST LOVE IT!! LOL
Well, there you go writeattitude. Got the last word in and evil's punished there in Pleasantville for you. Just don't screw up...not and let me see it. But I guess that's the beauty of being,well,writeattitude.
AW Man
If these poor boys didn't want to spend 1-2 years in jail, they should have done like the scores of others who were caught with their hand in the candy jar and admitted they were doing wrong and copped a plea to receive less time; but no since they like to "gamble" they took another "chance" and took their case to court where now not only did the TBI, the officers and the commissioners who issue warrants for arrests think they were guilty; enough evidence was produced in a court of law to convince 12 jurors they were guilty! That is what happens when you play the game of chance, you either win big or lose big. They just need to cut their losses and serve their time.
If you make a dollar or dime by law it will be taxed.... no exceptions thats the law
This is ridiculous, the fines are up to 3000 dollars each. Wonder who is pocketing that money? Most of the officers and judges involved have probably been to Tunica to drop their money in another state's coffers. Time to move on legalize and profit from the tax monies.
I wonder if some of these people that protest so loudly to law enforcement officials doing their job could be some of the "50-60 people on a good night"?
That many people in one location is not a friendly game around the kitchen table. We all shout about drugs being so prominent in our town, well then if drugs were found, why not eliminate that source??
That is one more that may be shut down and one less that our kids might be exposed to.
Pheleze... these people were not drug dealers. The people you need to worry about are in your local jail intake every week for drugs they are still on the streets with their drugs. See how many times they get busted for drugs and still able to post small bonds only to be right back on the streets the next morning pushing their habit.
Ah Dianatn, that would be sweet! Can you imagine what kind of revenue that would poor into Shelbyville/BC if we had the population/facilities to support it?
Well it's not gonna happen so, next subject.
You know, writeattitude, I've listened to your holyer-than-thu smack for a while. One FINE DAY we'll be driveing along in our cars and I hope that it's you we see pulled over on the side of the road, getting verbally chastized and having to pay a ticket, higher premiums on insurance and whatever else that goes along with that. I also hope that ONE FINE DAY you are just in the wrong place at the wrong time and some green, rookie cop just wanting to impress his boss/buddies decides to play show and tell with an AK-47 in your face for an hour and a half. These people are YOU only with bad judgement. Not drug heads and drunk drivers etc. Or, you could just think for two seconds before you put your fingers on that keyboard again.
-- Posted by Cornelia.Marie on Thu, Oct 1, 2009, at 12:46 PM
This rant was lunacy, and your key word phrase was "bad judgment". You your self struck the nail on the head. They made a bad judgment call and got caught, breaking the law. So they pay. Just because someone brings up that fact doesn't make them holier than thou. And wishing to see anyone with an AK-47, which I might is a Chinese weapon not one used by law enforcement in this area, is sick. If anyone breaks the law myself included, they pay. I have parked in an area marked no parking for a moment to run into a business for just a second and when I returned found an officer writing a parking ticket. Was I mad, yes, did I have an excuse, yes, did I pay the fine for breaking the law, yes. Good people make bad judgment calls all the time, for the thrill, for the quick cash, and when they get caught they pay. If we don't like the law push to change it. But if we pick and choose the ones that we are going to break just because we don't like them, then you have a break down of society. Even when it comes to the so called trivial laws like this one.
docudrama
It's not so much that they were breaking the law it is what is fair punishment. Would it have been fair punishment to put you in jail for a parking ticket?
Most of us break the law on any given day either speeding or parking somewhere we shouldn't or even not wearing a seat belt to run down to the store. I can honestly say I have driven many times with my drivers license laying at home..that is breaking the law.
All most of us are saying is the punishment should fit the crime and we feel this one does not.
Organized gambling is far worse than a parking violation. Both of these gentlemen knew what they were doing could have dire consequences if caught. As the song says, don't do the crime if you can't do the time. Had the penalty for a parking infraction been a year in prison, I would have walked a mile rather than parking in a no parking zone. We need to compare apples to apples here.
Being that it is their first offence they will probably walk with probation and no prison time.
So what your saying is like saying a little sin is much better than a big sin? So with a little sin you only get a little bit of hell and with a big sin you get more hell?
While you are comparing apples to apples lets compare a few oranges also.
What if you park in a fire zone and the building catches fire and someone dies in that building because you were in the way of the fire trucks? Parking ticket??
Who has decided that gambling is much worse than a parking ticket? I didn't decide this. Legal Gambling is a very good business not only for the gambling property but for the city and the people who live in that city. Look at Metropolis IL who had ever heard of Metropolis except in Superman comics until Harrah's put a casino there.
Look up Metropolis IL and you will see how many millions of dollars of revenue the city brings in from just Harrah's. Look at all the jobs and businesses this Casino has provided for Metropolis; restaurants, hotels, gas stations... thus more jobs for the residents. And while you are looking up Metropolis make sure you look and see that their crime rate is no worse than ours is right here in Shelbyville.
First of all- how the *** is driving under the influence even in the same universe as playing poker? If you want to make an argument at LEAST make it plausible. For your information, I think driving under the influence isn't punished ENOUGH, OK?
These people, play with their own hard earned money- and the people hosting it, obviously have expenses...have you ever priced a poker table? Do you know how much a dealer costs?
I totally agree- to make playing a game illegal, yet sell scratch off tickets behind every counter that children can see is TOTALLY ludicrous.
This whole story in fact is totally ridiculous- and 3/4 of the comments about it.
And for everyone's information- gambling is not a sin. Do some research.
Furthermore- how is having a poker tournament any different than having a fishing tournament. I dont see people being put in jail over that!
Fishing takes skill- GUESS WHAT poker does TOO!
There is just as much chance as a "bad beat" in poker due to bad luck, as there is as a "bad day" in fishing.
WAKE -------- UP
sheesh
writeattitude, they did admit guilt, to dealing cards, they did accept responsibility for their part. They just didnt feel they should be charged for the same crime as the Tuckers. If "participating" makes it aggrevated gambling promotion; then all the players should have been charged as well.
Iloveroses, those 50 or 60 are still playing here honey, just somewhere else. And once again, tell me who got arrested for drugs. It was all pumped up to make news. Also, no children were allowed, and if by some chance they did get in; then well their parents aren't doin their job. They don't have to go to a poker game to learn, see, or purchase drugs; they can just go to school. Ever heard the saying "those who criticize our generation forgot who raised it"
I have not heard of any of the 7 people indicted say "I'm innocent" They all have been accountable for what they have done wrong. The problem they have is the punishment does not fit the crime.
It is a respected game with adults playing with their own hard earned money. No one was made to play, no one was hurt while playing (unless it was their pocket) and most certainly no drugs. This game has an old time Vegas reputation of a back room, underground game run by Tony Soprano. Just as Vegas has changed with the times so has poker and its players. Too many people are being judgemental and stereotyping.
REALLY? COME ON AND JOIN US IN THE 2000'S. We have an African American president now too, and guess what, he don't have to use a separate bathroom. You probably don't like that either!!
And for everyone's information- gambling is not a sin. Do some research.
-- Posted by corywh on Sat, Oct 3, 2009, at 1:49 AM
If you are referring to my post I never once said gambling is a sin. The state of Tennessee is the one who makes the law based on what they believe is immoral and a sin.
If that was not the case then why could I cross over the state line in any given state around us and gamble and everything these people were going would be legal. How can something possibly be illegal in one state and be perfectly legal in another unless that state was judging you on morals?
Tennessee makes the law based on tax revenue collectability.
The issues of morals and sin play no issue on the gambling laws.
Posted by Moral Monkey on Sun, Oct 4, 2009, at 7:52 AM
What part of legal gambling pays taxes don't you understand?
If Tennessee made gambling legal then you can be sure every dollar from it would be taxed.
Legal Gambling is Licensed just like any other business. Why do you think Casinos use tokens and pay out slips in their slot machines? It is so they can keep up with how much the pay-out is if you win over 600$ the Casino is suppose to give you a W-2G form for Federal Taxes. If Tennessee actually ever did make gambling legal I am sure they would have a tax for it for the state as well even though there is no state income tax there would be a gambling tax passed with the gambling law. The up side of paying taxes on your Casino winnings is you can also deduct your losses.
Now to your statement about the state controlled gambling being legal and me starting my own gambling house being illegal.. yes one is legal one is not because of the License (just like it is anywhere else even in Vegas)
But it is like that with ANY business. A licensed heating and air business is legal if I run one without the proper license it is illegal.
Responding to the last comment:
Yes, you are exactly correct- however, there are no laws prohibiting heating and air businesses. (although maybe there should be lol).
So my original point is still this, how is having a poker tournament any different than a fishing tournament? You mean to tell me that they are taxed? They should have a license? I dont think so. What about company golf tournaments?
Hmmmmmm.....it really is an interesting thought isnt it?
Fishing tournaments, Golf Tournaments, Church Bingos, Raffles anytime you purchase something or do something that the end result means you win a prize is gambling. When they stick the words for charity in there somewhere then it does not become gambling in the eyes of the TN law.(not in my eyes though)it is the same thing to me anyway you look at it.
Heating and Air business is a business and must have a license to operate legally. Anyone who is a heating and air specialist can get a business license. Dealers and gaming houses owners can not even get a license to operate in Tennessee even though it is a business just like heating and air.
Enough already. I'm not going to continue bashing and rabble rousing against law enforcement. I had friends and relatives on both sides of the law that night. If law enforcement is making a raid, they need to enter the BLDG. with something besides a smile on their face. Doesn't matter what the intel. has given them prior to an hard entry. Now, that night on that particular raid, the threat had long since been eliminated after entry and the sight neutralized. Some bonehead with the law enforcement pulled an AK-47 and continued to berate unarmed suspects-for an hour and a half. So, writeattitude and others this is why there is so much detached mistrust in the law enforcement in this particular incident. It was a black eye that S'ville PD and BCSD will have to deal with. We've bashed the Tuckers and had a field day at their expence with narry a word said about the zealous official that acted irresponsibly that night. The S'ville PD and BCSD, TBI and others are fundamentally the good guys. But instead of gaining support, they will be viewed with suspicion. This horse is dead. Next subject.
again I will say.... these guys got arrested and charged because they were making money that was not taxed.. that is against the law
Good stuff
I think we should completely reevaluate our entire system of justice that makes our nation the largest incarcerator of its citizens than any other.
I just do not understand how we can justify demanding more and more incarceration for these non-violent offenders (about 75% of those incarcerated). Are we Americans such a degenerate culture that we deserve to be chained in percentages that would make even the most authoritarian nations blush? Is it that we collectively feel the need to legislate the morality of our society, or is it coming from above to instill fear and division amongst our population in the hopes of achieving greater compliance from the unwashed masses?
To cage a man is a terrible punishment, and I would like to think that those who are jailed in my name would have committed such a crime that reflects the serious nature of their sentence.