Poker House Shut Down

On July 22, 2009, ICE Agents with the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office seized illegal video poker machines from a residence and charged a Hudson woman for operating them in a manner used to pay cash out to customers. Acting on numerous citizen complaints, ICE Agents visited Deborah Hall Pender at 2003 Connelly Springs Road Apt B in Lenoir, which is a residence divided into two separate apartments. A search was conducted and three poker machines along with a list of codes used to operate the machines were taken from the apartment.

During the search, Pender admitted to using the machines to pay cash out to winning customers, comprising mostly of her close friends. The minimum amount of money needed to play was $1.00 and could take up to a $20.00 credit at one time. Pender, who actually lives on Mt. Herman Road in Hudson, used the apartment solely as a gambling house. The apartment was set up with a lounge area, regrigerator, and tables and ashtrays positioned by the machines for customer comfort.

According to North Carolina General Statute 14-301, it is a misdemeanor for any person, firm or corporation to operate, keep in his possession or in the possession of any other person, firm or corporation, for the purpose of being operated, any slot machine or device where the user may become entitled to receive any money, credit, allowance, or anything of value.

As a result, Deborah Hall Pender, W/F, age 54, of 350 Mt. Herman Road in Hudson was charged with three counts of possession of a slot machine.

"We had several complaints about the activity at this apartment. I really appreciate the citizens notifying us of this type of illegal activity, which will not be tolerated." - Sheriff Alan C. Jones.

This site was last updated 09/04/09