A man has been convicted of operating several illegal gambling dens throughout San Diego. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
A man found running at least nine illegal gambling dens in San Diego, California has been sentenced to six years in prison.
Assault, stabbing, shooting, robbery, murder and selling drugs
Long Ngoc Tran was sentenced this week after pleading guilty to the federal charges. Prosecutors alleged that his gambling dens attracted violent criminal activity, such as assault, stabbing, shooting, robbery, murder, and selling drugs. Dens mainly feature electronic gambling machines, such as slot machines.
A grand jury indicted Tran along with 46 others in 2021. Prosecutors explained how the 42-year-old was previously arrested on gambling charges in 2015. Upon arresting Tran and searching his home in 2015, police discovered six machines Gambling, money and drugs. He received two years in state prison on that occasion.
Prosecutors believe Tran did not wait long after his release to resume his illegal gambling operations. A recent law enforcement campaign examined criminal activity associated with approximately 36 different illegal gambling establishments across San Diego. Tran has been identified as the “most uncovered gambling operator by investigation”.
