Six weeks following the November 2nd raid on a Baltimore poker tournament and the subsequent release of 80 arrested patrons due to a police error, authorities have filed charges against 15 additional employees and managers of the Owl's Nest in South Baltimore. This time, however, police are making sure that the charges won't be mucked.

Charges were filed last week against the poker club's two co-managers, Joseph A. Cary and Gerald C. Dickens, as well as against a security guard, two barmaids and 10 poker dealers. Before filing the charges, however, police met with a state attorney's office representative to make sure that the paperwork was completed and submitted according to regulations. The initial arrest of 80 poker players at the scene of the raid proved an embarrassing error for the establishment, after police cited the incorrect legal clause when issuing tickets during the raid; charges against all 80 players were dropped. Cary, Dickens and the other employees currently facing charges were not among the 80 people charged in connection with the November 2nd raid.

Cary is facing 19 counts of illegal gaming and gambling, while his partner, Dickens, faces 25. Both men have also been charged with two counts each of illegal liquor sales and possession, stemming from police allegations that the poker club had sold liquor without a license. All of the 15 people facing charges are expected to appear in a Baltimore District Court on January 27.

Source:  Poker777 Staff

Monday, 19 December 2005