FAIRFIELD — Following a two-month investigation, Fairfield police were able to break up an illegal poker game that may lead to a license suspension for a local establishment.
Three men connected to Michael’s Billiards, 6625 Dixie Highway, were arrested and charged with gambling-related offenses, according to reports filed by the Fairfield Municipal Court on Dec. 7.
By the time officers and members of the Ohio Liquor Control Commission began the investigation in June 2004, Michael’s owner Rodney E. Fox, manager Walter Scott Van Horn and clerk James Christopher Addison had participated in an illegal Texas Hold ’Em game for six months, according to Sgt. Pete Lagemann of the Fairfield Police Department.
Because of his suspected involvement in the game, Fox was charged with operating a gambling house, a first-degree misdemeanor. Fox pleaded guilty Dec. 7 and was ordered to pay $125.
Both Addison and Van Horn pleaded to lesser charges of gambling, which is a minor misdemeanor. Each was ordered to pay court costs at $25.
Lagemann said the men were “raking money off the top” of betting pots in individual games and tournaments, all of which were held in the Dixie Highway pool hall. For every $10 that was placed into the pot, Fox received $2, the investigation found. It is not known exactly how much the owner netted from the game. However, Lagemann said the department seized about $500 in cash, which included $60 of the undercover officers’ money.
“It started out as just good money, but then it became part of the business,” Lagemann said of Fox’s intentions.
Because of the popularity of the game at Michael’s, it took some time for undercover officers to get into the game, officials said. Once in, the officers played with the group to add strength to their case. During that time, Fox also began to advertise for tournaments to draw a bigger crowd, authorities said.
Lagemann said Fox was cooperative during the entire process and even allowed police to investigate company computers and other paperwork.
“He admitted he made a mistake and was willing to make it better,” Lagemann said. “We didn’t have a lot of problems with him.”
Fairfield police Lt. Ken Colburn said it was the first time local officers had broken up an illegal game.
“It’s very rare,” Colburn said. “I don’t recall anything ever like that.”
Since the incident, Lagemann said Fox continues to be cooperative. However, more trouble could occur in the future when the owner submits its annual liquor license, officials said.
“They wouldn’t cancel his license for a first-time offender,” Lagemann said. “But they may suspend it. That’s what we believe.”
Michael’s Billiards is expected to be up for a license review this summer.
Three men connected to Michael’s Billiards, 6625 Dixie Highway, were arrested and charged with gambling-related offenses, according to reports filed by the Fairfield Municipal Court on Dec. 7.
By the time officers and members of the Ohio Liquor Control Commission began the investigation in June 2004, Michael’s owner Rodney E. Fox, manager Walter Scott Van Horn and clerk James Christopher Addison had participated in an illegal Texas Hold ’Em game for six months, according to Sgt. Pete Lagemann of the Fairfield Police Department.
Because of his suspected involvement in the game, Fox was charged with operating a gambling house, a first-degree misdemeanor. Fox pleaded guilty Dec. 7 and was ordered to pay $125.
Both Addison and Van Horn pleaded to lesser charges of gambling, which is a minor misdemeanor. Each was ordered to pay court costs at $25.
Lagemann said the men were “raking money off the top” of betting pots in individual games and tournaments, all of which were held in the Dixie Highway pool hall. For every $10 that was placed into the pot, Fox received $2, the investigation found. It is not known exactly how much the owner netted from the game. However, Lagemann said the department seized about $500 in cash, which included $60 of the undercover officers’ money.
“It started out as just good money, but then it became part of the business,” Lagemann said of Fox’s intentions.
Because of the popularity of the game at Michael’s, it took some time for undercover officers to get into the game, officials said. Once in, the officers played with the group to add strength to their case. During that time, Fox also began to advertise for tournaments to draw a bigger crowd, authorities said.
Lagemann said Fox was cooperative during the entire process and even allowed police to investigate company computers and other paperwork.
“He admitted he made a mistake and was willing to make it better,” Lagemann said. “We didn’t have a lot of problems with him.”
Fairfield police Lt. Ken Colburn said it was the first time local officers had broken up an illegal game.
“It’s very rare,” Colburn said. “I don’t recall anything ever like that.”
Since the incident, Lagemann said Fox continues to be cooperative. However, more trouble could occur in the future when the owner submits its annual liquor license, officials said.
“They wouldn’t cancel his license for a first-time offender,” Lagemann said. “But they may suspend it. That’s what we believe.”
Michael’s Billiards is expected to be up for a license review this summer.
Sometimes I would just grab a beer and watch Dallas play. He's pretty strong.