53-year-old William “Bill” Mudd Jr. of Lenoir and 37-year-old Tasha Allen of Granite Falls were arrested by Long View Police Officers. Both suspects are charged with felony operating video gaming machines along with misdemeanor counts of gambling, manufacture or sale and operate or possess a slot machine, and electronic sweepstakes. Mudd is additionally charged with misdemeanor employing an unregistered armed security guard. Two other individuals were charged with misdemeanor counts in this case.
On Tuesday, September 10 the Long View Police Department Criminal Investigations Division, along with local and state law enforcement partners executed a search warrant at Longview Internet at 3765 U.S. Highway 70 SW in Hickory. The search warrant was executed as part of an investigation into illegal gambling at the establishment.
Investigators seized more than one hundred video gaming hard drives, video surveillance equipment, one firearm, and an undisclosed amount of US currency. Mudd’s bond was set at $15,000 secured bond, Allen was placed in the Catawba County Facility under no bond. They were both scheduled to appear in court Wednesday (September 11).
The investigation is continuing and further charges are anticipated. Anyone with additional information related to this case is asked to call 828-327-2343. All information received will be kept confidential and callers can remain anonymous.
Story: Rob Eastwood-WHKY