Michigan man extradited in internet cafe prosecution

The dismantling by Louisiana police of an illegal internet cafe gambling enterprise in Gretna earlier this year (see previous  report) had a sequel this week when a Michigan man, 50-year-old Marshal Isso, was extradited to Gretna to face charges of running an illegal gambling business.

The Times Picayune of New Orleans reports that Isso was charged Thursday on his return to the city, accused of owning and operating The Lucky Times internet cafe that was allegedly the front for an online casino gambling business.

Following the January raid on the premises, police arrested Isso’s partner in the venture Jason Toma (35) and manager Manuel Villagran (48).

The newspaper reports that the West Bank Major Crimes Task Force, Gretna Police and the Louisiana State Police conducted the raid following a two-month investigation.

They determined that while the cafe masqueraded as a business where patrons could use the Internet, send faxes or make copies, the men were actually running an online casino.

The raid was first of its kind in the state.

Customers used the café’s 90 computer terminals to play internet blackjack, roulette and slot machines, authorities claim. Patrons bought an access number that could be used to play games and earn credits for wins. They could then “cash out” with café employees.

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