July 07, 2014
Commercial Gambling Search Warrants in Tift County
Tifton, GA. – On Monday, July 7, 2014, the GBI’s Commercial Gambling Unit, along with the Mid-South Narcotics Task Force, the Tift County Sheriff’s Office, and in cooperation with the Georgia Lottery Corporation executed eighteen (18) search warrants in the Tift County area for violations of Georgia’s commercial gambling laws.
Search warrants were served at thirteen (13) businesses, three (3) residences, one (1) storage facility and one (1) office location. While searching the locations, agents collected evidence related to crimes of commercial gambling, seized monetary assets gained from the illegal use of gaming machines and seized over 100 Coin Operated Amusement Machines.
The businesses are currently licensed to operate Coin Operated Amusement Machines. However, during the course of the investigation, agents discovered customers were receiving cash payouts for winning credits. In Georgia, credits may only be redeemed for lottery tickets and/or store merchandise.
Search warrants were executed at the following business locations:
Soda Pop Shop, 3131 Hwy. 41 South, Tifton, GA
Short Stop, 607 Short Street, Tifton, GA
Earl’s Trap House, 2409 3rd Avenue, Tifton, GA
Funny Fruit Thrift Store, 1424 North Tift Avenue, Tifton, GA
J.L.D. Wings and Pub, 4468 Hwy. 319 South, Tifton, GA
EZ Market, 3301 Hwy. 82 West, Tifton, GA
GT Point, 1313 South Ridge, Tifton, GA
Lil Pantry, 1302 South Central Avenue, Tifton, GA
A-1 Food Mart, 1005 East 12th Street, Tifton, GA
SP Convenience Store, 2473 Hwy. 82 East, Brookfield, GA
Tift County Ink, 1239 Hwy. 82 East, Tifton, GA
Lucky Shamrock, 1281 Hwy. 82 East, Tifton, GA
Jay’s Food Mart, 10 Sandra Drive, Tifton, GA
M&M Amusement, 216 Park Avenue, Suite 103, Tifton, GA
Thus far, five arrests have been made as a result of a lengthy investigation by the Mid-South
Narcotics Task Force. Arrested for felony counts of Commercial Gambling as well as other
related gambling charges were:
Jerry Macri, 45 of Lenox, GA
Rebecca Fletcher Macri, 39 of Lenox, GA
Danny White, 55 of Tifton, GA
Zachary White, 29 of Tifton, GA
Alicia Lamb, 28 of Tifton, GA
In total, more than 100 Agents, Investigators