Gaming machines from shutdown Selma bingo halls found in Jefferson County

Published 6:55 pm Wednesday, August 28, 2024

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Gaming machines, which had been tagged during the execution of search warrants and temporary restraining orders by Attorney General Steve Marshall’s office in Selma on Aug. 19, were found during searches of a Jefferson County business this week.

According to Al.com, a number of those Selma bingo machines were located at Jay’s Charity Bingo in Lipscomb. When the search and restraining order was served in Selma, the machines were left in the business until a seizure order could be obtained.

However, it was prohibited for anyone to move the machines while the restraining order was in place.

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”You’re basically locking down these facilities until the litigation is complete so the reason why they’re able to do what they do is because we secured the facility, locked it up and then these people broke in and took them out,’’ Marshall told Al.com.

Court records obtained by Al.com showed that Charles Allen Robinson, 52, Charles Vanderford Jr., 61, Eric Daniel Hurt, 39, Michael Ray, 56, and William Patrick Humphries were all arrested and charged with third-degree burglary.

Marshall, in an interview with the website, said that Dallas County Sheriff Mike Grantham tipped off the attorney general’s office that some of the machines had been moved.

The locations where the warrants and restraining orders were served included:

  • Joker 777, 1391 E. Highland Ave, Ste 114
  • Mini Bingo, 113 Dallas Avenue
  • Selma Charity Bingo, 1824 Hwy 14E
  • Selma Bingo, 1 Hickory Road
  • Lucky Duck, 2584 Hwy 80W
  • 2535 Lewis Street (Only Search Warrant)

Last week, the Selma City Council rescinded its fee to allow gaming machines within the city limits. Earlier, the council had requested an attorney general’s opinion on the ordinance.

“I think we got the AG’s opinion when he came and did this and released his press release,” Selma Council President Pro Tempore Clay Carmichael said Aug. 22. “He executed temporary restraining orders against all the illegal gaming facilities in Selma. So again, we want to thank them for their service to our community.”