LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — A months-long investigation into suspected illegal gambling operations in Lee County has led to 10 arrests, raids at five arcades and the seizure or freezing of nearly $1.6 million in cash, gold and bank assets.
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno announced Wednesday that investigators uncovered an alleged gambling network spanning multiple businesses, with search warrants carried out Tuesday in Florida and Pennsylvania.
The investigation began in March and eventually expanded into allegations of racketeering and money laundering.
Marceno said undercover operations, surveillance, financial analysis and bank records helped detectives identify connections among five gambling establishments and the people accused of financing, owning, managing or operating them.
Investigators reported seizing $715,272 in cash and approximately $661,454 in gold coins and bars.
Another $383,573 in bank assets was frozen.
The sheriff’s office valued the combined cash, gold and frozen bank assets at $1,589,149.
Investigators also seized 10 vehicles, including a Bentley Continental, several BMWs, two Cadillac Escalades and a Mercedes-Benz.
Two homes are being targeted for civil forfeiture.
The Florida Gaming Control Commission seized 239 illegal slot machines during the operation.
Detectives also reported recovering an additional $30,250 from gambling machines at Sneaky Pete’s Lucky 7 Arcade and 777 Arcade.
The investigation centered on five establishments across Lee County:
The Royal on Palm Arcade in Fort Myers
777 Arcade in Fort Myers
King’s Paradise Arcade in North Fort Myers
Sneaky Pete’s Lucky 7 Arcade in Bonita Springs
Spin City Arcade in Fort Myers
The investigation also reached Pennsylvania. In Mercer, Pennsylvania, detectives searched a residence and located a large safe containing cash and jewelry that investigators connected to the case.
Emily Landfried, owner of The Summer House Collection, said she arrived at her boutique around 10 a.m. and immediately noticed a large law enforcement presence near the arcade.
“I noticed quite a large sheriff’s presence at the end of our building here. There were probably, I’d say, between 10 to 15 officers,” Landfried said.
She said some deputies were wearing masks and standing outside the business.
Later that morning, Landfried noticed two large moving trucks parked near the arcade.
She said the trucks briefly interfered with a delivery to her business.
Landfried saw items being loaded into the trucks but could not identify what was being removed.
The scale of the investigation surprised her.
“It’s definitely shocking to hear how much was done and so quickly,” Landfried said. “I think, you know, when things like this happen, it’s always a little shocking to hear how much and how widespread it ends up being.”
Landfried said the presence of a business suspected of illegal activity can affect how customers perceive an entire shopping plaza.
She hopes the crackdown will ease concerns among neighboring business owners.
The sheriff’s office identified the 10 people arrested as Dennis Martin, Ronald Longo, Timothy Fandry, Melissa Olarte, Dijela Ivezaj, William Holman, Debra Wolovlek, Angela Vittitoe, Harold Hauck Jr. and Stamena Gacevic.
Arrest records show charges that include conspiracy under Florida’s racketeering statute, keeping a gambling house, possession of illegal gambling equipment and money laundering. The specific charges vary by defendant.
Seven defendants appeared before a Lee County judge Wednesday morning for their first court appearances.
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno credited the partnership between his office and the Florida Gaming Control Commission.
“We didn’t just target machines; we went after the people, the money, and the infrastructure investigators uncovered,” Marceno said.
Florida Gaming Control Commission Executive Director Alana Zimmer said investigators from both agencies spent months preparing for the operation.