8 Residents Arrested in Aberdeen Gambling Raid

State Alcohol Law Enforcement officers on Monday raided the business in the foreground of this building in Aberdeen and arrested 20 people and charged them in connection with an illegal gambling operation. Photo by Glenn Sides.

As of Friday, May 18, 2012

By Tom Embrey

Senior Writer

Eight Moore County residents are among 20 facing charges after state alcohol enforcement officers raided an illegal gambling operation outside Aberdeen, authorities said.

Officers on Monday seized $60,000 and illegal drugs after raiding a business at 707 S. Pinehurst St., Suite A, according to a news release from the Alcohol Law Enforcement Division.

ALE began investigating after various complaints were lodged about illegal activity at the location.

David Williams, agent in charge of the Fayetteville office of ALE, called the setup a "high-stakes" operation, according to media reports.

The owner of the building, Mike Locklear, declined to say much about the incident. He said the tenant, whom he declined to name, had rented the space for about a year, and he had received no complaints and heard no rumors about illegal activity.

When asked what kind of business the renters were running, Locklear first said he "had no clue," and when pressed he said "they might have had something to do with construction."

Tim Strickland, who rents a suite next door to the one authorities raided, said on Monday he left the building between 7:30 and 8 p.m. and didn't see anything unusual.

He described the activity level at the raided suite as sporadic: "Occasionally I'd walk out and there'd be 20 cars in the parking lot. Other times there'd be nothing."

In addition to the cash, law enforcement officers seized a little more than an ounce of cocaine, a small amount of marijuana, and illegal prescription opiate drugs, the release said.

Those from Moore County arrested are:

Stacy Dunagan Oliver, 35, and Justin Oliver, 32, both of the 100 block of Kings Ridge Court in Southern Pines. They are charged with operating any game of chance at which money is bet, use of a gambling table, and allowing gambling in a house of public entertainment.
Lou Ann Ryder, 40, of the 1000 block of Quewhiffle Road, Aberdeen, operating a game of chance at which money is bet.
Paul Cooley, 65, of Baron Drive, Pinehurst, gambling.
Mark Smith, 53, of the 200 block of Woodland Drive, Pinehurst, gambling.
Anthony Chapman, 33, of Saint George Lane, Pinehurst, gambling.
Michael Barbera, 79, of Shibui Gardens, Southern Pines, gambling.
Darrell Cole, 61, of the 2500 block of Linden Road, Aberdeen, gambling.

The charges are all misdemeanors punishable by a maximum of six months in jail.

The others arrested and charged were from Fayetteville, Laurinburg, Wadesboro, Hamlet, Lilesville, Wagram and McColl, S.C., the release said.

Another man who works in the complex and declined to give his name said he was unaware of the raid, but did say he had heard rumors for a while about possible illegal activity.

"People would say, 'Do you know what they are doing in there?'" he said.

Contact Tom Embrey at (910) 693-2484 or tembrey @the pilot.com.

More like this story

theonewithsense 1 year ago

"In addition to the cash, law enforcement officers seized a little more than an ounce of cocaine, a small amount of marijuana, and illegal prescription opiate drugs, the release said."

"The charges are all misdemeanors punishable by a maximum of six months in jail."

Dang, they got off easy.

cantstandya 1 year ago

That ounce of cocaine is the real problem,seems as if the last comment made is very true,got off easy,or someone knows someone that has clout,anyone else would be charged with intent to distribute,thats alot of cocaine,could have just brought a couple 5 hour energy drinks if they were going to play all night.

healthcare_2011 1 year ago

It says in this article that they were all charged with operating a game of chance at which money is bet, use of a gambling table, and allowing gambling in a house of public entertainment or gambling... So, how is it being punishable by a max of six months considered getting off "easy"? Maybe the other people that are not from Moore County (not listed in this article) were booked on the drug charges. This only reports of 8 out of 20 people. . . just a thought.

cantstandya 1 year ago

Can't see where the gambling is a problem,maybe the people involved just did not want a bunch of people messing up their house,that part seems a little over board to me,I mean they are all grown individuals,seems like the drug thing is the real problem,now that was abit stupid,playing cards,not so much,seems like there are plenty of bad guys out there that the LEO's could be chasing down,could have drug tested and let the good guys go home.

Yukonjohn 1 year ago

Good thing ya'll got those horrible criminals off the street!!

sandhills47 1 year ago

Interesting how this story made the top headline in the Pilot and yet a Pinecrest High School teacher's house was recently raided by the FBI and the Pilot never followed up or ran a story.

cantstandya 1 year ago

sandhills47,Never read anything about that teachers house,where was that info made available?

lifeischill 1 year ago

Yeah I would say they have a little pull or know someone. Two of the girls charged sister is married to one of moore counties well known lawyers and their father is a well known builder. As someone else mentioned they got off easy. This is unfortunate but is well overdue and should have happened years ago in hoke county as this has been going on for several years from what I understand. Just sad for the childten involved. As parents we know that our decisions come with consequences.

sandhills47 1 year ago

All of the pertinent information regarding the Pinecrest teachers FBI raid was given to the editor of the Pilot and there was never any story ran or followup done. For those who have students in Pinecrest High the teachers name is Kathy Sims and she is a math teacher. Concerned parents may wish to follow up with the board of education.

tarheelborn 1 year ago

Wonder why the Pilot AND Other Papers, will only print PART/SOME of the names? Here is a more detailed list. However, IT is lacking too.... He called the setup a "high-stakes" operation.

In addition to the cash, lawmen seized a little more than an ounce of cocaine, a small amount of marijuana and illegal prescription opiate drugs, the release said.

Among the 20 arrested were 14 Cape Fear region residents. They were identified as:

Samuel Suggs, 67, of the 7200 block of Ryan Street in Fayetteville, gambling.

Claudie Holland, 57, of the 1500 block of River Road in Fayetteville, gambling.

James Holland, 48, of the 3100 block of Hampton Ridge Road in Fayetteville, gambling.

Lacy Lee Brooks, 70, of the 26000 block of Aberdeen Road in Laurinburg, trafficking in opium, simple possession of opium and resist, obstruct or delay arrest.

Stacy Dunagan Oliver, 35, and Justin Oliver, 32, both of the 100 block of Kings Ridge Court in Southern Pines, operating any game of chance at which money is bet, use of a gambling table and allowing gambling in a house of public entertainment.

Lou Ann Ryder, 40, of the 1000 block of Quewhiffle Road, Aberdeen, operating a game of chance at which money is bet.

Paul Cooley, 25, of Baron Drive in Pinehurst, gambling.

Mark Smith, 53, 200 block of Woodland Drive in Pinehurst, gambling.

Allen Coble, 34, of the 25000 block of Hill Creek Road in Wagram, gambling.

Anthony Chapman, 33, of Saint George Lane in Pinehurst, gambling.

Michael Barbera, 79, of Shibui Gardens in Southern Pines, gambling.

Darrell Cole, 61, of the 2500 block of Linden Road in Aberdeen, gambling.

The six others arrested charged were from Wadesboro, Hamlet, Lilesville and McColl, S.C., the release said.

Another publication states Two of the females, one sister is married to a Prominent Lawyer and their Father is a Contractor/Builder. Wonder who that might be? Surely MORE to come out of this.

Glad I don't know any of them. But everyone enjoys a little "Weekly" poker game, don't we? We always play for "toothpicks"! Kinda like the Bridge Club Ladies! If we only knew what went on behind THEIR Closed Doors!