Charlotte County Sheriff’s Narcotic Unit detectives raided a gambling operation in School House Square Monday in Charlotte Harbor, arresting two men from Cape Coral.
Arrested were Josue Joel Molina, 33, 314 SW 26th Place, and Gustavo Ernesto Ortiz-Moran, 23, 1001 SW 12th Ave.
Acting on information received, a detective went to The MAX Video Arcade, 4300 Kings Highway, Unit-210, on May 27 and purchased a plastic playing card for $20. After playing he slots, the detective had $5 left on the gambling card and made $1 in profit.
On June 4, another detective went to The MAX and made contact with the owner Molina and issued him a written warning informing him he was violating the law which Molina denied. A check with the Florida Division of Para-Mutual Wager in the Department of Business and Professional Regulations found no such permit has been issued in Charlotte County.
Detectives of went back July 9 and with the original playing card with $5 credit from the May investigation, played the slot machines and cashed out with $43.60. The detective received cash from an attendant who was asked about giving him cash, and the attendant said they always give back cash pay outs.
Monday, July 12, detectives returned and conducted another investigation. They made contact with Molina and Moran; both were arrested and transported to the Charlotte County Jail. Molina is charged with felony Keeping a Gambling House; Moran was charged with a felony as Agent of a Keeper of a Gambling House. Both posted $2,500 bond and were released.

Source: Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office