Internet Café Sting in Northeastern Ohio
As part of an ongoing investigation into illegal gambling in Ohio, the Ohio Casino Control Commission and local law enforcement executed dozens of search and seizure warrants in Summit, Cuyahoga, Lorain, Erie, Stark and Ottawa counties. Ten secret indictments were unsealed. All of the individuals were indicted on charges of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and illegal casino gambling. Additional charges of money laundering and operating a gambling house were brought against some of the individuals. Also, several Internet cafes in Lorain County were raided.
Among those indicted were a Kent police officer and his wife. James Cole has been a police officer since 1988. He was Officer of the Year in 1994 and promoted to captain in 2011. The Coles were indicted on three counts of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, seven counts of money laundering, four counts of illegal casino gambling and four counts of operating a gambling house.