“OPERATION QUICK SPLASH” UNCOVERED ILLEGAL DOMINICAN LOTTERY SCHEME ALLEGEDLY RUN FROM VARIOUS STOREFRONTS IN THE VILLAGE OF HAVERSTRAW

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe today announced that a five-month long investigation by the Rockland County Intelligence Center, the Haverstraw Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office into an unlawful lottery and illegal gambling operations has resulted in the arrest of 24 individuals, the seizure of United States Currency, numerous computers and gambling receipts and evidence of other crimes.

Prosecutors accuse no fewer than ten Village of Haverstraw businesses of conducting illegal betting via the Dominican National Lottery, booking thousands of dollars in wagers over a one-year period.

District Attorney Zugibe said, "Illegal gambling is by no means a victimless crime – it provides the fuel that drives a variety of illicit activities, and is often accompanied by an increase in other “quality of life” crimes. These arrests send a clear message: when it comes to illegal gambling in Rockland County, all bets are off.”

Ten search warrants were simultaneously executed last night at businesses throughout the Village of Haverstraw by over ninety law enforcement officials. Cash and evidence of illegal gambling operations involving the Dominican National Lottery, Lotería Electrónica Internacional Dominicana S.A., were seized during the raids.

The Rockland County Intelligence Center, the Rockland County Sheriff, the FBI, the New York State Liquor Authority, Haverstraw Police Department, Clarkstown Police Department, Stony Point Department, Department of Homeland Security, Immigration & Custom Enforcement, NYS Department of Taxation & Finance and other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies assisted in the takedown of these operations. In total, nineteen law enforcement agencies were involved. 22 of the defendants were arrested on misdemeanor charges including Possession of Gambling Records of the Second Degree and Promoting Gambling in the Second Degree. These defendants face up to one year in jail if convicted. One defendant was arrested for the felony of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree. ICE detained five defendants for immigration violations. One defendant was arrested on a beach warrant for failing to appear in court.

Zugibe said the search warrants executed last night also resulted in the seizure of illegal cigarettes and evidence of welfare and labor law fraud.

More arrests on gambling charges are expected.

During the summer of 2010, Haverstraw police and the Rockland County Intelligence Center received complaints from village residents about illegal gambling and other related criminal activity taking place along Broadway and Main Street, near the center of the village.

Said Zugibe, "I want to commend local residents for their partnership with local law enforcement. This investigation would not have been possible without members of the community voicing concerns to police and members of the Rockland County Intelligence Center. Our model of Community Prosecution has given local residents a greater voice in prioritizing and solving problems that plague neighborhoods."

Between September, 2010 and February, 2011, these defendants were observed, aiding and abetting and acting in concert with each other and others in several storefronts, intentionally conducting and participating in a pattern of criminal activity. Investigative techniques included undercover buys, video surveillance, audio surveillance, subpoenas, confidential informants and information provided by local residents.

Haverstraw Police Chief Charles Miller said, “The arrests resulting from this collaborative investigation are evidence that we are serious about pursuing and prosecuting illegal gambling operations. In addition to breaking the law, illegal lotteries cheat the tax system and skirt the rules we must live by.”

Thirty one illegal “Pale” bets were made during the course of the investigation at each of the businesses. Nine of the locations are grocery stores, and one is a beauty parlor. One of the small bets paid off and police collected the $280 winnings.

The Dominican lottery is similar to the New York Lottery’s Pick 3 game. If the player hits the numbers picked in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, the player could win up to $600 on a $1 investment.

All defendants arrested on NY State Criminal charges were arraigned before the Honorable Kevin F. Russo in the Village of Haverstraw Justice Court and are due to return to court on February 9th or February 16th.

The 10 locations searched were:

Haverstraw Superette 21 Broadway, Haverstraw

“Unnamed Grocery” 31 Broadway, Haverstraw

50 Broadway Grocery 50 Broadway, Haverstraw

Hershey’s Store 167 Broadway, Haverstraw

Bandera Mini Market 175 Broadway, Haverstraw

Los Hermanos 20 Main Street, Haverstraw

Guzman Grocery 72 Main Street, Haverstraw

Sanchez Grocery 35 New Main, Haverstraw

Tineo Grocery Store 18 Broad Street, Haverstraw

Evelyn Hair Salon 6 West Street, Haverstraw

ARRESTED:

Rafugio Azepeita: ICE DOB : 9/16/81

Tarasa Capellan: Bail $5,000 DOB : 1/13/73 153 Hudson Ave, Haverstraw Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree Return Date: 2/9/2011

Josefina Diaz: Bail $1,000 ICE DOB : 12/15/58 20 Main St., Haverstraw Possession of Gambling Records of the Second Degree (2 Counts); Promoting Gambling in the Second Degree (3 Counts) Return Date: 2/9/2011

Rafael Diaz: Bail $1,000 ICE DOB : 7/6/61 153 Hudson Ave, Haverstraw Possession of Gambling Records of the Second Degree Return Date: 2/9/2011

Antonio Dominguez: Bail $1,000 DOB : 2/15/53 67 Hudson Avenue Possession of Gambling Records of the Second Degree (2 Counts) Return Date: 2/16/2011

Benard Gutierrez: Bail $1,000 DOB : 6/21/77 73 Roosevelt Drive, West Haverstraw Possession of Gambling Records of the Second Degree (2 Counts) Return Date: 2/9/2011

Braulio Guzman: Bail $1,000 ICE DOB : 3/26/61 31 Broadway, Haverstraw Promoting Gambling in the Second Degree Return Date: 2/9/2011

Candido Hiciano: $1,000 DOB : 3/21/56 3 Allison Avenue, Apt. 2, Haverstraw Possession of Gambling Records of the Second Degree (2 Counts) Return Date: 2/16/2011

Marino Infanteo: $1,000 DOB : 4/4/70 26 West St., Haverstraw Possession of Gambling Records of the Second Degree (4 Counts), Promoting Gambling in the Second Degree (2 Counts) Return Date: 2/9/2011

Jose Leon: Bail $1,000 DOB : 10/5/67 142 Broadway, Haverstraw Possession of Gambling Records of the Second Degree Return Date: 2/16/2011

Edis Lopez: Bail $1,000 DOB : 8/25/68 175 Broadway, Haverstraw Possession of Gambling Records of the Second Degree (4 Counts); Promoting Gambling in the Second Degree Return Date: 2/16/2011

Ramon Lopez: Bail $1,000 DOB : 12/1/86 131 Broom Street, New York, NY Possession of Gambling Records of the Second Degree (2 Counts) Return Date: 2/16/2011

Ramon Martinez: Bail $1,000 ICE DOB : 11/1/76 27 Broad St., Haverstraw Possession of Gambling Records of the Second Degree (2 Counts) Return Date: 2/9/2011

Danny Peralta: Bail $1,000 DOB : 10/20/80 31 Broadway, Haverstraw Possession of Gambling Records of the Second Degree (2 Counts) Return Date: 2/9/2011

Andres Reyes Lopez: Bail $1,000 DOB : 1/28/67 16 Rockland St., Haverstraw Possession of Gambling Records of the Second Degree (2 Counts) Return Date: 2/9/2011

Adamo Rodriquez: AT DOB : 4/26/72 12 Third St., Haverstaw Possession of Gambling Records of the Second Degree

Julio Rodriguez: Bail $1,000 DOB : 11/20/87 172 Broadway, Haverstraw Possession of Gambling Records of the Second Degree (2 Counts) Return Date: 2/16/2011

Evelyn Rosario: ROR DOB : 3/29/78 6 West St., Haverstraw Possession of Gambling Records of the Second Degree (4 Counts); Promoting Gambling in the Second Degree Return Date: 2/9/2011

Daniel Sanchez: Bail $1,000 DOB : 6/14/72 167 Broadway, Haverstraw Possession of Gambling Records of the Second Degree (3 Counts); Promoting Gambling in the Second Degree (3 Counts) Return Date: 2/9/2011

Roberto Sanchez: Bail $5,000 DOB : 10/9/72 35 New Main St., Haverstraw Promoting Gambling in the Second Degree; Possession of Gambling Records in the Second Degree (5 Counts); Cigarette and Tobacco Products Tax Violation Return Date: 2/16/2011

Ramon Tavares: AT DOB : 11/1/46 303 Warren Knolls, Haverstraw Possession of Gambling Records of the Second Degree

Fabio Tineo: Bail $5,000 DOB : 1/20/74 9 Fairmount Ave, Haverstraw Possession of Gambling Records of the Second Degree ( 2 Counts) Return Date: 2/16/2011

Marcelino Vasquez: Bail $1,000 DOB : 1/21/50 50 Broadway, Haverstraw Possession of Gambling Records of the Second Degree (4 Counts); Promoting Gambling in the Second Degree

It should be noted that criminal charges are merely accusations and that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.