Former deputy Steven Ray Lovin, of Lumberton, is charged with multiple counts related to illegal gambling.
Lovin faces charges including two counts of gambling, two counts of operating video gaming machines, two counts of possession of five or more video gaming machines, one count of promoting, operating, or conducting a server-based game, one count of possessing illegal gaming terminals, and one count of operating electronic sweepstakes. His bail is set at $50,000.
In May 2008, Lovin was sentenced as part of a nearly six-year state and federal investigation into corruption in the Sheriff’s Office, known as Operation Tarnished Badge. Glenn Maynor, the former sheriff of Robeson County, was among those charged. The investigation revealed deputies’ involvement with drug dealers, and the crimes listed in the indictments included kidnapping, beating, and robbing drug dealers, arson, and stealing money during drug stops on the interstate.
Lovin, who was part of the sheriff’s drug enforcement unit and considered one of the county’s top lawmen, was charged in a 12-count federal indictment with stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal drug-seizure money, arson, and giving drugs to confidential informants.
The recent illegal video gambling investigation began with citizen complaints, prompting Vice/Narcotics Agents to conduct undercover video gaming plays at the following locations, where cash payouts were received:
- 104 N. Elm Street, Clarkton (Freddy’s on Elm)
- 4517 NC 211 West, Bladenboro (Klix 211 Arcade)
- 2673 Hwy 701 North, Elizabethtown (701 Sweepstakes)
- 110 Seaboard Street, Bladenboro (Jewels Sweepstakes)
Agents also conducted a “knock and talk” at Aladdin Sweepstakes, located at 29 Third St., Dublin. Pursuant to an agreement with the Bladen County District Attorney’s Office and Jeffery Smith, owner of Aladdin Sweepstakes, the location will cease operations immediately and will not reopen within Bladen County or anywhere else in the 13th Prosecutorial District of Bladen, Columbus, and Brunswick.
“This was a joint operation with ALE and Bladenboro Police Department,” said Sheriff James McVicker. “We have been working with our State Representative William Brisson, other legislators, and the Attorney General’s Office to shut these illegal operations down for good. New, stronger legislation is being introduced to address this issue and more clearly define what is and isn’t allowed, making enforcement easier and strengthening penalties. I appreciate all the help we received from our partners in this operation.”
Other individuals arrested include:
- Steven Mark Lovin, of Lumberton, charged with: two counts of gambling, two counts of operating video gaming machines, two counts of possession of five or more video gaming machines, one count of promoting, operating, or conducting a server-based game, one count of possessing illegal gaming terminals, and one count of operating electronic sweepstakes. Bail is set at $100,000.
- Cynthia Dawn Duncan, of Clarkton, charged with: three counts of gambling, three counts of operating video gaming machines, three counts of possession of five or more video gaming machines, two counts of promoting, operating, or conducting a server-based game, two counts of possessing illegal gaming terminals, and four counts of operating electronic sweepstakes. Bail is set at $15,000.
Corporations charged with multiple criminal summonses include:
- Vapes Enterprises LLC of Raleigh, charged with: three counts of gambling, three counts of operating video gaming machines, three counts of possession of five or more video gaming machines, two counts of promoting, operating, or conducting a server-based game, two counts of possessing illegal gaming terminals, and four counts of operating electronic sweepstakes.
The following individuals have active warrants for their arrest and are currently wanted by the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office:
- Daniel James Storie, of Mooresville, charged with: three counts of gambling, three counts of operating video gaming machines, three counts of possession of five or more video gaming machines, two counts of promoting, operating, or conducting a server-based game, two counts of possessing illegal gaming terminals, and four counts of operating electronic sweepstakes.
- Daniel Paul Storie, of Asheboro, charged with: three counts of gambling, three counts of operating video gaming machines, three counts of possession of five or more video gaming machines, two counts of promoting, operating, or conducting a server-based game, two counts of possessing illegal gaming terminals, and four counts of operating electronic sweepstakes.
- James Hubert Ross Jr., of Bladenboro, charged with: two counts of gambling, two counts of operating video gaming machines, one count of possession of five or more video gaming machines, one count of promoting, operating, or conducting a server-based game, one count of possessing illegal gaming terminals, and one count of operating electronic sweepstakes.
If you have any information on their whereabouts, call the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office at 910-874-0656.
Authorities also issued multiple criminal summonses to an unspecified member of Vapes Enterprises LLC of Raleigh for similar charges. Additional arrests are expected.
