L’Observateur / October 28, 1998

LUTCHER – Three River Parishes residents were booked Oct. 24 for theiralleged involvement in an illegal gambling operation, according to Louisiana State Police.

John Tracy, 47, 2164 Augusta, LaPlace; George Johnson, 50, 2164 Main St.,Lutcher; and Daniel Vernon, 51, address unavailable, were each charged with felony gambling as a business.

St. James Sheriff Willy Martin Jr. commented, “They had a prettyextensive undercover operation going on for quite some time.”The case was initiated by the Baton Rouge City Police Intelligence Unit on Sept. 12, 1997. The investigation led into several parishes, where footballcards were being distributed and collected from numerous locations.

In October 1997, Louisiana State Police joined in the investigation, due to the multi-jurisdictional aspect of the case.

Search warrants were carried out Saturday at the residence of the alleged ringleader, John Tracy, and at two additional places in Lutcher, George Johnson’s residence and the Lutcher Tire and Auto Co., Railroad Avenue,Lutcher.

Detectives anticipate more arrests. The operation was carried out incooperation with the St. James Sheriff’s Office and the Lutcher PoliceDepartment.

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