Orangeburg, SC (WLTX) - An Orangeburg club owner has been arrested after he re-entered his condemned business and sold beer and installed video poker machines, according to Sheriff Leroy Ravenell.
Ravenell says officers were investigationg complaints of illegal gambling/poker machines and the sale of beer and narcotics at the Allen Murray Club in Bowman.
"Allen Murray gave investigators permission to search the building at 823 Foliage street. Officers found a pool table in the rear of the building with empty beer cans on shelves along the wall. Officers were then dispatched to the same location on Tuesday morning around midnight to answer a fight in progress when they observed seven poker machines and subjects drinking beer, " continued Ravenell.
Murray then admitted to officers on Tuesday afternoon that he had removed the machines from the club and to his home after the officers responded Tuesday night, according to deputies.
An order of destruction has been obtained for the seven illegal polker machines and 287 cans of beer.
Investigators say more than $1,000 was seized from Murray that he said he obtained from the sale of beer and people playing the poker machines.
"Officers have responded to the Allen Murray Club more than 90 times since 2006," said the sheriff, "After condemning the club in 2010, Murray went right back in there, built a video poker machine room and reopened for business illegally."
Bond was set at $5,525 coash or surety on all three charges.