Three Michigan women were recently sentenced after pleading guilty to roles in an illegal gambling operation conducted at the Fortune Internet Café in Waterford.
Charges against Shelly Ann Leinenger, Stacey Lynn Houstina, and Shannon Leigh Molina were filed in June following a joint investigation conducted by the Michigan Gaming Control Board and Michigan Department of Attorney General. The evidence included more than $3,000 in cash and gift cards, 32 slot-style gaming computers, and two standalone slot-style gaming systems.
“An unregulated gaming operation offers no controls to protect the public, often targets senior citizens and low-income areas and can bring unwanted crime to a community,” Henry Williams, Michigan Gaming Control Board executive director, said in a statement. “The Michigan Gaming Control Board and Michigan Department of Attorney General work closely to investigate and eliminate gambling enterprises operating outside of Michigan law.”
Leinenger pleaded guilty June 29 to one felony count of gambling operations and was sentenced to one day of jail with credit for one day, fined $1,000, and ordered to pay $258 in fees and court costs.
Houstina pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of maintaining a gambling house for gain and was sentenced to one day of jail with credit for one day, fined $250, and ordered to pay $258 in fees and court costs.
Molina pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of maintaining a gambling house for gain, was sentenced to two days in jail with credit for two days, fined $500, and ordered to pay $258 in fees and court costs.
Waterford is located approximately 40 miles northwest of Detroit.
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