Florida authorities seize $715,272 in cash in illegal gambling probe
Enforcement & compliance1 min read
In brief
- Searches at five locations recovered $715,272 in cash and $661,454 in gold, with $383,573 in bank assets frozen.
- Ten vehicles were seized, including two Bentleys, a Mercedes-Benz and a 2026 Cadillac Escalade.
- The Florida Gaming Control Commission took part, and executive director Alana Zimmer said the action followed months of preparation.
Ten people were arrested and 239 slot machines were seized after authorities carried out searches at five locations in Florida and Pennsylvania on 27 October, the Lee County Sheriff's Office said in a release. The operation recovered $715,272 in cash and $661,454 in gold coins and bars, and $383,573 in bank assets was frozen, according to the release.
The searches covered The Royal on Palm Arcade and 77 Arcade in Fort Myers, King's Paradise Arcade in North Fort Myers, Sneaky Pete's Lucky 7 Arcade in Bonita Springs and Spin City Arcade in Fort Myers, the release indicated. Ten vehicles were also seized, including two Bentleys, a Mercedes-Benz, several Cadillacs and a 2026 Cadillac Escalade.
The people arrested were named in official police information as Dennis Martin, Ronald Longo, Timothy Fandry, Melissa Olarte, Dijela Ivezaj, William Holman, Debra Wolovlek, Angela Vittitoe, Harold Hauck Jr. and Stamena Gacevic. The investigation involved the Narcotics and Economic Crimes units, the Florida Gaming Control Commission and law enforcement partners in Pennsylvania, and used surveillance and undercover agents, according to the release.
The enforcement action followed months of preparation, Florida Gaming Control Commission executive director Alana Zimmer said, according to the report. The source did not state any charges, court dates or appeal status.
- Cash seized
- $715,272
- Gold coins and bars seized
- $661,454
- Bank assets frozen
- $383,573
- Slot machines seized
- 239