Continuing their campaign to eradicate illegal gambling within the Corpus Christi city limits, investigators with the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division served simultaneous search warrants on Wednesday, April 05, 2023, at two illegal gambling establishments on the city’s south side. Following a months-long investigation into the businesses that uncovered evidence of illegal gambling, detectives secured search warrants at two separate game rooms, one located on the 5100 block of Oakhurst Drive, and one located on the 3800 block of Saratoga Boulevard. Detectives served a third search warrant on the 3800 block of Saratoga Boulevard, at a business that was being used for illegal cash payouts for game winners at the nearby game room. During the search, detectives seized gambling equipment, over $370,000 cash, three vehicles, over 88 pounds of silver, and other evidence of illegal gambling. 41 adult patrons at the Oakhurst location were cited for Gambling, a Class C misdemeanor, while another 40 at the Saratoga location were similarly cited.
The following individuals at the Oakhurst location were arrested and charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, Gambling Promotion, Keeping a Gambling Place, and Possession of a Gambling Device:
46-year-old Corina Almaguer Oritz, 21-year-old Ojahni Haywood, 21-year-old Nicholas Ybarra, 21-year-old Sergio Gonzales, 24-year-old Alexus Hernandez and 23-year-old Angelica Ore.
At the Saratoga location, the following individuals were arrested and charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, Gambling Promotion, Keeping a Gambling Place, and Possession of a Gambling Device:
47-year-old Djilali Raghid, 42-year-old Tarrant Maples, 20-year-old Angelina Alvarado, 21-year-old Melanie Deleon, 21-year-old Taysha Davis, 34-year-old Olive Salinas and 32-year-old Bianca Lopez.
Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity is a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in jail and a maximum $10,000 fine, while the other three charges are class A misdemeanors.
This investigation continues, and additional arrests are possible. The Corpus Christi Police Department reminds citizens that game rooms which pay out cash rewards, or rewards that can be immediately redeemed for cash are engaging in illegal gambling. Patrons as well as the management of these establishments may face criminal charges.
NVID Detectives were assisted in the operation by officers with the CCPD Operations Division, Organized Crime Unit and investigators with the State of Texas Comptroller’s Office, which regulates coin operated machines.
The Corpus Christi Police Department continues to collaborate with our local, state, and federal partners to investigate and combat illegal gambling. Investigators will continue to enforce all Texas gambling laws, which will help accomplish our mission to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and to improve the quality of life in our community.
CCPD Blotter 
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