Contributed report

MONTGOMERY- Attorney General Troy King announced the convictions today of two men who owned a gambling arcade that was raided by his investigators last May.

David Lawrence and Robert Taylor, both of Warrior, were found guilty by Jefferson County District Judge Robert Cahill after a one-day trial. Each was convicted of 123 counts of possession of a gambling device, a class A misdemeanor. Each man received a sentence of 12 months imprisonment, which was suspended, was placed on 24 months probation, and fined a total of $61,500–$500 for each of the 123 counts.

Special agents from Attorney General King’s office conducted a raid on May 12 at one of the largest gambling facilities in Jefferson County, the Spin and Win Arcade in Warrior.

Agents confiscated devices alleged to have been used for illegal gambling.

Taylor was arrested that day and Lawrence was arrested later that month.

The Spin and Win Arcade is located at 8037 Rouse Road, off Interstate 65, at the edge of the Warrior city limits.

As a result of an investigation that began in January, Attorney General King directed special agents to execute a search warrant and gather evidence regarding alleged illegal gambling at the arcade.

Agents seized equipment that included circuit boards from 123 gambling machines, as well as a sampling of whole machines, that were used for analysis.

“Today’s verdict sends a clear message that we will not tolerate illegal gambling in the state of Alabama, and outlaw gamblers in our state should be prepared to pay the price,” said Attorney General King.

“This case underscores my commitment to our citizens that whenever

we find instances of illegal gambling, we will take strong enforcment actions.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Don McMillan and Sonny Reagan, and was investigated by Special Agents Anthony J. Castaldo, Bill Dickinson, J.D. Shelton, and Vicki Wilson.