Casino Crime Roundup: Sheriff Charged With DUI Outside of Casino

Posted on: September 23, 2024, 02:57h. 

Last updated on: September 23, 2024, 09:09h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More

Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

Hampden County, Mass. Sheriff Nick Cocchi was arrested Saturday night after allegedly operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol outside of Massachusetts’ MGM Springfield casino.

Cocchi pled not guilty during an arraignment on Monday in Springfield District Court. He was released on his own recognizance.

“I’m sorry for not living up to the high standards I’ve set for myself, my staff, and the justice-involved population. I take complete responsibility for my actions,” Cocchi said in a weekend statement to Western Mass News.

“In today’s political life, so many people want to point fingers and push blame onto others,” he added after the court appearance. “I wasn’t brought up that way. … Nor do I act that way in my personal or my professional life. So today, I take full responsibility for what happened this past Saturday.”

Cocchi was elected to the sheriff’s post in 2016 and was re-elected in 2022.

Tennessee Business Raided

Smoke & Vape, a local smoke shop, was searched by Springfield, Tenn. police officers last week after authorities were tipped off about possible illegal gambling at the business.

During the raid, authorities seized gambling machines, according to the Smokey Barn News, a Tennessee news outlet.

A worker at the business was charged with gambling promotion.

Casino Robbery Fails

A man was apprehended after two robberies on Sunday. He failed to get any money in the first incident but was able to get cash in the second.

The masked man first attempted to rob VIP Gaming Lounge of North Sioux City, South Dakota. It appeared he had no weapon at the casino.

But he was given cash after he allegedly pulled out a gun and robbed a gas station in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, which police said was Pump ‘N Pak.

Later identified as Richard Martinez, 29, of Sioux City, the suspect was apprehended and later booked at Woodbury County Jail on attempted robbery, first-degree robbery, and second-degree theft charges.

Martinez’s get-away car was reported as being stolen.

Eight Suspects Arrested After Gambling Raid

Eight people were charged following the raid of suspected gambling operations in two San Francisco businesses earlier this month.

The charges include gambling violations, drug counts, and warrants for other violations, according to the San Francisco Police Department.

Officers seized illegal gambling machines, illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, stolen merchandise, a firearm, and a replica gun during the September 11 searches.

Both businesses are located on Leavenworth Street.