Sunday, May 19, 2013 | 6:43 a.m.
Hi, (not you?) | Member Center | Sign Out
Updated: 9:57 a.m. Friday, Sept. 18, 2009 | Posted: 6:13 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009
MARION COUNTY, Fla. —
Marion County deputies recently shut down two other cafes. This was third and they hope the last. The business is not illegal, but gambling is illegal.
Some patrons of the Internet Express off Highway 200 in Ocala weren't too happy to see the Marion County Sheriff's Office on Thursday.
"Why jump on this place? There are many people who come here and enjoy it," one person said.
The business was full when deputies served their search warrant Thursday, but what patrons saw as harmless entertainment investigators call an illegal gambling operation raking in $1,200 to $2,600 per day.
The only arrest was 24-year-old Victoria Coons. The sheriff's office says she's charged with being the employee of a gambling house. Deputies are getting an arrest warrant for her boss, James Blaketer Sr.
Customers purchased cards and to use the Internet and they told Eyewitness News the cards gave them access to games where they could win prize money; deputies say that's the very definition of gambling.
"They were closed down before. I was expecting it I guess," one patron said.
The Internet Express and several similar businesses were told to shut their doors in June after deputies shut down two Cyberzone locations. The sheriff's office says most of them did, but the Internet Express hired an attorney.
"I think they should go ahead and legalize it," resident Leroy Saville said.
Deputies say they've confiscated 43 computer stations and they're warning patrons to stay away. The sheriff's office says the DEA has also gotten involved in shutting down these cafes.
© 2013 Cox Media Group. By using this website,
you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices
.
Already have an account? Sign In
{* #registrationForm *} {* traditionalRegistration_displayName *} {* traditionalRegistration_emailAddress *} {* traditionalRegistration_password *} {* traditionalRegistration_passwordConfirm *}Already have an account? Sign In
{* #registrationFormBlank *} {* registration_firstName *} {* registration_lastName *} {* traditionalRegistration_displayName *} {* traditionalRegistration_emailAddressBlank *} {* registration_birthday *} {* registration_gender *} {* registration_postalZip *} {* traditionalRegistration_passwordBlank *} {* traditionalRegistration_passwordConfirmBlank *} {* agreeToTerms *}We have sent you a confirmation email. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account.
We look forward to seeing you frequently. Visit us and sign in to update your profile, receive the latest news and keep up to date with mobile alerts.
Don't worry, it happens. We'll send you a link to create a new password.
{* #forgotPasswordForm *} {* forgotPassword_emailAddress *}We have sent you an email with a link to change your password.
We've sent an email with instructions to create a new password. Your existing password has not been changed.
To sign in you must verify your email address. Fill out the form below and we'll send you an email to verify.
{* #resendVerificationForm *} {* resendVerification_emailAddress *}Check your email for a link to verify your email address.

You're Almost Done!
Select a display name and password
{* #socialRegistrationForm *} {* socialRegistration_displayName *} {* socialRegistration_emailAddress *} {* traditionalRegistration_password *} {* traditionalRegistration_passwordConfirm *}Tell us about yourself
{* registration_firstName *} {* registration_lastName *} {* registration_postalZip *} {* registration_birthday *} {* registration_gender *} {* agreeToTerms *}