Murfreesboro Police have shut down an illegal gambling ring that featured a casino-style operation out of a nondescript business on West Burton Street. Announced in a social media post by the Murfreesboro TN Police Department, the raid led to the arrest of two individuals, Diego Gonzalez, 37, and Daniela Vargas, 24, last Thursday.
The bust came on the heels of a two-month probe into the establishment, ending in felony charges for the duo, including aggravated gambling promotion and possession of gambling devices. The Murfreesboro Police Department stated the illegal setup mimicked a legitimate gambling venue, with one customer and several employees being present at the time of the raid, they were later released after questioning.
"It had the appearance of a real operating casino," SIS Lt. Mike Taylor was quoted as saying, noting that any games of chance remain unlawful in Tennessee. Residents had previously raised concerns about the secretive nature of the business, pointing to the blacked-out windows and doors that added to the air of suspicion surrounding the location.
The investigation into the operation was spearheaded by detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division’s Special Investigation Section. They continue piecing together evidence for potentially more gambling dens in the city.
