Fast Response Leads to 22 Arrests

FROM CITY PRESS RELEASE 12/14/2006: An anonymous tip lead to the arrest of 22 people on gambling and other charges and a gambling establishment was closed down in La Vergne Wednesday night. The operation took place less than 75 yards from a church.

Of the 22 arrested at 121E George Chaney Blvd., five were for felony charges while 17 were given misdemeanor citations.

“We received an anonymous call that there was gambling going on and when we went over there to do a welfare check, we noticed the security camera on the outside of the building,” LPD Lt. Ted Boyd said Thursday morning. “Officers Russell Howell and Chip Davis knocked on the door and the owners let them in. Apparently, the owners tried to convince police that they had made a place for their friends to get together and play poker.”

The games stated at 8:15 p.m. and reportedly would go on until the next morning. There was a $200 entry fee to play, Boyd said, noting they’d only been operating for about three to four weeks.

Three of the individuals – Steven Colbert, 42, of Shelbyville; Denny Kalinic, 33, of Columbia and Cathy McPherson, 23 of Shelbyville – were charged with the promotion of gambling and aggravated gambling.

Two individuals –--Ashley R. Hayes, 38, of Rockvale and Tyrone L. Jackson, 30, of Nashville -- were charged with gambling and possession of drugs. Approximately 400 pills were confiscated, along with nearly ½ pound of cocaine and a small amount of marijuana. The pills were Oxycontin, Loratab, Xanax, Percoset and more.

Charged with gambling were Landace Clackner, 26, of Nashville; Ernest Milton Darrett, 51, of Smyrna; Samuel B. King, 31, of Hermitage; Jefferson W. Morrill, 36, of Nashville; Van L. Ho, 22, of Lebanon; Millard Austin, 28, of Murfreesboro; Thomas James 31, of Smyrna; Robert Martin, 34, of Smyrna; Jerry K. Shadowens, 41, of Smyrna; Rangsit T. Iamsaard, 37, of Murfreesboro; Matthew M. Skaggs, 28, of Murfreesboro; Christopher S. Bissinger, 25, of La Vergne; Russell A. James, 30, of Murfreesboro; Allison Johnson, 27, of Antioch; Joycelyn Edwards, 27, of Antioch; Mark Pellatiro, 32, of Antioch and Gary Armstrong, 48, of Nashville.

In addition to the arrests, LPD officers seized $15,063 in cash, two trucks – a 2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 and a Dodge Ram SRT 10 – two TVs, five guns, leather furniture, a refrigerator (which was used to store alcohol and food), gaming tables and a poker machine. Only the poker
machine will have to be destroyed. If the owners of the trucks aren’t able to get their vehicles back, they – along with the other items – will be sold at auction.

Ten officers from second and third shift responded to the call and Vice/Narcotics and LPD’s Crime Scene Unit were called in to assist and process the scene. According to Boyd, this is the largest bust by LPD officers on one call in one night.

“I’m proud of our department for the hard work they did in making these arrests and closing down this operation,” Chief Steve Lindsay said. “This was a major operation and we’re glad we shut the games down before they could possibly lead to more crimes within the city.”

For more information, contact Angie Mayes at 207-4678. Nice job, LaVergne city police!!!