MGCB reports five arraignments

The Michigan Gaming Control Board reported that five people were arraigned on various illegal gambling charges last week.

The five suspects are Joseph Toporek, Mary Larking, Shaun Bellah Sr, Shaun Bellah II, and Ghazwan Brikho. They were arrested in April for running a pair of illegal gambling operations in Genesee County: The State Road Spot in Davison and The Bristol Spot in Burton.

According to the MGCB, these businesses had more than 100 illegal gambling devices between them including computer towers, gambling machines, and “other devices.” The authorities also confiscated $29,000 in cash and 62 gift cards.

Thirty-one charges

Toporek and Larking each face one or more charges of keeping a gambling house, running a gambling operation without a license, maintaining a gambling house for gain, and using computers to commit a crime.

The other three suspects — Shaun Bellah Sr, Shaun Bellah II, and Ghazwan Brikho — face similar charges plus additional charges of conducting a criminal enterprise and conspiracy to conduct a criminal enterprise.

released on personal recognizance bonds

The five suspects are receiving 31 charges in total between them. All five suspects were arraigned in August and September and were released on personal recognizance bonds, meaning that they did not have to post bail.