Published on: September 23, 2024, 02:57h.
Last updated on: September 23, 2024, 03:10h.
Hampden County, Mass. Sheriff Nick Cocchi was arrested Saturday night after allegedly operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol outside of Massachusetts’ MGM Springfield casino.
Cocchi entered a plea of not guilty during an arraignment on Monday in Springfield District Court. He was released on his own recognizance.
“I regret not upholding the high standards I have set for myself, my team, and the justice-involved community. I take full responsibility for my actions,” Cocchi stated in a release to Western Mass News over the weekend.
“In today’s political sphere, many individuals are quick to lay blame on others,” he remarked following the court proceedings. “That is not how I was raised. … Nor do I exhibit that behavior in my personal or professional life. Therefore, I accept complete responsibility for my actions this past Saturday.”
Cocchi was elected as the sheriff in 2016 and won re-election in 2022.
Tennessee Business Raided
Springfield, Tenn. authorities searched Smoke & Vape, a local smoke shop last week following a tip about potential illegal gambling operations at the establishment.
Law enforcement seized gambling machines during the raid, as reported by Smokey Barn News, a Tennessee news source.
An employee at the shop was charged with promoting gambling.
Denver Man Faces Prison for Illegal Gambling
A Denver man may face up to ten years in prison after a guilty verdict for running an illicit gambling establishment in Colorado.
Jonathan Arvay, 38, of Denver, was found guilty by a jury of operating an illegal gambling business and conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, stated the US Attorney’s Office in Colorado last week.
Arvay could receive a maximum of 10 years imprisonment and up to $500K in fines when he receives sentencing on December 12. He may also face six years of supervised release after serving his prison term.
Prosecutors revealed that Arvay operated the Player One Arcade in Denver, which was part of a network of gambling parlors stretching from Greeley to Pueblo, Colo.
“These parlors provided multiple electronic forms of gambling through games designed to mimic arcade games, along with virtual slot machines where patrons aimed to earn credits,” as per prosecutors’ statement.
Winning patrons would exchange credits for an obsidian digital asset coin (ODAC), a type of cryptocurrency.
Following this, the ODAC would be converted to cash at a cryptocurrency teller machine located either adjoining the establishment or within the gambling club.
These gambling dens posed as arcades with an appearance of legality,” mentioned Acting US Attorney for the District of Colorado Matt Kirsch in a statement. “I appreciate law enforcement officers for delving beyond the veneer and uncovering the actual harm caused by these establishments in our communities.”
“These defendants established a substantial, intricate illicit gambling operation, both online and offline, in Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Lakewood, Denver, Aurora, and Greeley. Their unlawful gains led to criminal activities like money laundering and defrauding the US government, among other infractions,” remarked FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek.
Eight Suspects Arrested After Gambling Raid
Following a raid on suspected gambling operations at two San Francisco establishments earlier this month, eight individuals were charged.
The charges encompass gambling offenses, drug-related charges, and warrants for other crimes, according to the San Francisco Police Department.
During the searches on September 11, officers confiscated illegal gambling machines, illicit substances, drug paraphernalia, stolen goods, a firearm, and a replica firearm.
Both businesses are situated on Leavenworth Street.