FAIRFIELD – The Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office and agents from the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) raided six Fairfield County businesses last week, seizing 27 illegal gambling machines and more than $3,700 in cash. The raids were conducted, the Sheriff’s Office said, after receiving several complaints and tips from the community about the gambling operations. No arrests were made during the raids, the Sheriff’s Office said, but several civil citations were issued.
The joint operation began at approximately 10:43 a.m. Jan. 30, when officers removed 10 gaming machines from Jackie’s Hot Dogs at 405 B. N. Congress St. in Winnsboro. Along with the machines, $1,920 in cash was also seized from the business. A citation was issued to the business owner, Jackie Ray Mincey, 77, of Columbia Road, Winnsboro.
Three machines and $1,785 in cash were seized in a simultaneous raid from Cuz’s Corner, 419 S. Congress St., Winnsboro. Nik Patel, 45 (no address available), was issued a citation in the raid.
At 11 a.m., agents raided the Country Mart at 16683 Highway 21 North in Great Falls and seized three machines. A citation was issued to Rishi Vijay, 45, of Chester Ave., Great Falls. Approximately 30 minutes later, a raid at Brown’s Grocery, 462 W. College St., Winnsboro, netted five machines and $80 in cash. A citation was issued to Robin Ann Alston, 61, of W. College St., Winnsboro.
At 12:22 p.m. the same day, Mincey earned his second citation when agents removed three gambling machines from the Jetco at 420 S. Congress St. in Winnsboro. A third citation was issued to Mincey a short time later when a raid of Jackie’s 2 at 985 Highway 321 Business S. in Winnsboro turned up an additional three machines.
While citations were issued during this operation, the Sheriff’s Office warned that businesses and individuals who continue to operate illegal gambling machines could face jail in the future.
