MERCER COUNTY, NJ — A Philadelphia man is facing charges in New Jersey after an 11-month investigation into illegal slot machines at businesses across Trenton, police said Monday.
Harry B. Almonte, 33, was identified as the main target of the operation, according to the Trenton Police Department. Detectives from the Trenton Police Alcohol and Beverage Control Unit and the New Jersey State Police Financial Crimes Unit led the investigation.
Police said detectives found slot-style machines being used for personal gain at more than 30 businesses in the city.
On Monday, officers from the New Jersey State Police, the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office, and the Trenton, Hopewell, Ewing, West Windsor and Robbinsville police departments carried out multiple search warrants at businesses throughout Trenton. Police said they seized more than 70 slot machines, numerous items used to run the gambling, and a large amount of money.
Philadelphia police arrested Almonte at his home, where officers found three semi-automatic handguns and more than a half pound of marijuana, according to authorities. He was charged with multiple drug and weapons offenses in Pennsylvania.
Trenton police charged Almonte with maintenance of a gambling resort or online gambling resort, possession of gambling devices, promoting gambling and money laundering.
The business owners were issued complaint summonses for maintaining a gambling resort or online gambling resort and possessing gambling devices, police said.
"Illegal gambling throughout the City of Trenton will not be tolerated in any form," the department said in the release.
Anyone with information about illegal gambling in Trenton can call 609-989-4000 or email Trenton Police Crime Tips at tpdcrimetips@trentonpolice.net.
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