October 22, 2015 - Travelers on Thursday morning, October 22, 2015 were turned away from the doors of Shady Oaks in Center located just off Loop 500 at 87 South as members of the Center Police Department, and three Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies were performing a raid on the location.
At this time no official word was initially issued by law enforcement; however, one potential customer of the convenience store reported to Shelby County Today that officers with the Center PD were at the location at 5:30am and instructed her to leave. Another potential customer at the scene reported seeing gaming machines being hauled away from the location.
According to a press release issued by Center PD Detective Stephen Stroud, on Thursday, October 22, 2015 at approximately 5am Center Police Lead Detective David Haley with the assistance of Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy Bradley Horton served a search warrant at the Shady Oaks Convenience Store along with twelve arrest warrants.
The Center Police Department opened an active investigation approximately two months ago into illegal gambling at Shady Oaks Convenience Store. This investigation led to twelve arrest warrants and a search warrant for the store.
Upon arrival, Younus Moton, 56, and Lidia Moton, 52, were arrested for Keeping a Gambling Place (Misdemeanor A), Possession of Gambling Device/ Equipment (Misdemeanor A), Gambling Promotion (Misdemeanor A) and Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity - Gambling Promotion (State Jail Felony) and transported to the Center Police Department.
Approximately twelve Gambling machines were seized along with approximately $9,100 in cash. Bilal Moton, 28, was later arrested at the Center Police Department for Keeping a Gambling Place (Misdemeanor A), Possession of Gambling Device/ Equipment (Misdemeanor A), Gambling Promotion (Misdemeanor A) and Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity- Gambling Promotion (State Jail Felony) as well.
The investigation was sparked by Shelby County Attorney Gary Rholes and Shelby County Assistant District Attorney Stephen Shires who assisted throughout the entire investigation.
