Defendants Plead Guilty in Illegal Gambling Operation
Written by Post Public Information Representative, May 16, 2018, Comments Off
Courtesy Yanira Deleon,
(Laredo, Texas)-The Webb County District Attorney’s Office has secured a guilty plea in its case against Andres Chavez, Nubia Chavez and Alma Davila in connection to illegal gambling operations.
On June 7, 2017, Laredo Police Department Narcotic/Vice Division began an investigation of illegal gambling activities of known and unknown suspects that operate several slot machine amusement centers or “maquinitas” in the Laredo area. Throughout the undercover investigations, cash payouts were given for redemption. The investigation revealed patterns of activity and consistent movement of large amounts of money transferred to and from Palace Amusement Center, AGC Transports, two residences and multiple banks. The owners of this establishment, identified as Andres Gerardo Chavez-Lozano, 34, and Alma Davila, 57, removed profits made from the eight liner slot machines. Chavez-Lozano also opened two shell companies, used to conceal illegal proceeds generated through the gambling activities that were being conducted at the Palace Amusement Center. Both owners conducted financial transactions by depositing cash derived from illegal gambling proceeds to facilitate the ongoing gambling operation and attempted to legitimize the currency derived from this illegal operation. Bank records also detailed that the deposits were made to multiple accounts under $10,000 to avoid reporting requirements under the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
Andres Gerardo Chavez-Lozano and Alma Davila, individuals determined to be the owners of the Palace Amusement Center, were arrested and charged with money laundering, engaging in organized criminal activity, gambling promotion and keeping a gambling place, a first-degree felony, a state jail felony and a class A misdemeanor in the State of Texas, respectively. Nubia Astrid Chavez, an employee of the establishment, was arrested and charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and gambling promotion.
Andres Gerardo Chavez-Lozano plead guilty to one count of money laundering and agreed to serve a sentence of five years probated for five. Nubia Chavez plead guilty to gambling promotion to one year probated for two years. They are both scheduled to be sentenced on June 11, 2018 before the 111th District Court. Alma Davila plead guilty to gambling promotion to 11 months probated for two years. Davila is scheduled to be sentenced on May 24, 2018 before the 111th District Court.
The multi-agency operation included local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Laredo Police Department Narcotics/Vice Unit led the operation with the assistance of the Webb County District Attorney’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau Investigations.
Assistant District Attorney Ana de la Rosa prosecuted the case for the State.
Investigations into gambling operations will continue.
