In the heart of East Charlotte, Kilborne Mart, a convenience store located on Kilborne Drive, has been cited for allowing illegal gambling operations within its premises. According to a social media post by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, an ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) inspection uncovered four sweepstakes slot gambling machines at the business back in May. The owner, Mussie Teklemarian Estifanos, 47, was advised then to remove the machines.
Despite earlier warnings, the establishment evidently continued to flout the law. The police executed a follow-up ABC inspection on September 12, prompted by further complaints about the continuing presence of the machines. This time, they proceeded to not only educate but also enforce, seizing four gambling stations and $2,081 in cash. Documents will be lodged with both the ABC Commission and the NC Lottery Commission to hold the business accountable for the gambling violations whilst operating under lottery permits.
The consequences extended beyond fines and citations. Tesfaldet Gebrab, 46, faced arrest and charges including Larceny by Employee. He was also slapped with citations for Gambling and Conducting Gambling on Licensed Premises. As for Estifanos, the list of citations grew to include a total of four gambling-related offenses, including "Gambling," "Conducting Gambling on Licensed Premises," "Failure to Supervise," and "Allowing Gambling in Houses of Public Entertainment." To learn more about these citations and the details of September's operation, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department refers to report number 20250912-1931-00.
