(DEFIANCE, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Defiance County Prosecutor Morris J. Murray today announced that a Defiance County Grand Jury has indicted three individuals from Oregon, Ohio, on charges of running illegal gambling houses and gaming law violations.
Marvin Dabish, 38, Robert Dabish, 39, and Nadia Dabish, 59, were each indicted on 41 counts, including:
- Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity, a felony of the second degree (1 count)
- Possessing Criminal Tools, a felony of the fifth degree (5 counts)
- Violations of Casino Gaming Laws, a felony of the fifth degree (15 counts)
- Gambling, a misdemeanor of the first degree (15 counts)
- Operating a Gambling House, a misdemeanor of the first degree (5 counts)
The defendants are the owners of Talk-N-Win Internet cafés in Defiance, Toledo, Oregon, Findlay, and Fremont. Together they allegedly created a network of gambling houses in which patrons would play slot machine terminals for a chance to win, and winnings were paid in cash.
“We have a responsibility to enforce Ohio’s gaming laws, and electronic games must comply with the law,” Attorney General DeWine said. “We appreciate the hard work and collaboration of county prosecutors and local law enforcement in enforcing these laws.”
Added Defiance County Prosecutor Murray, “Defiance County appreciates the good working relationship we have established with the Attorney General’s Office and the valuable resources and expertise they bring to this investigation and prosecution. Cooperation between local and State agencies is critical to effective Law Enforcement practices.”
In December 2014, agents with the Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and Charitable Law Section, along with several local law enforcement agencies, served search warrants and seized electronic gaming terminals from the following locations:
- Talk N Win, 213 Main Street, Toledo, 140 terminals seized
- Talk N Win, 3555 Navarre Avenue, Oregon, 74 terminals seized
- Talk N Win, 121 South Fifth Street, Fremont, 98 terminals seized
- Talk N Win, 7525 Patriot Drive, Findlay, 62 terminals seized
- Talk N Win, 1500 North Clinton Street, Defiance, 101 terminals seized
Authorities with the Defiance County Multi-Area Narcotics Task Force, Findlay Police Department, Fremont Police Department, Hancock County Sheriff's Office, METRICH Enforcement Unit, Ohio Casino Control Commission, Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation, Oregon Police Department, and Toledo Police Department assisted in serving the search warrants.
The Defiance County Prosecutor has appointed an attorney from the Ohio Attorney General’s Charitable Law Section to serve as special assistant prosecutor in the case.
Ohioans who suspect illegal gambling are urged to contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or 800-282-0515.
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Media Contacts
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