*** MEDIA ADVISORY *** October 28, 2004                                                          FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE GAMBLING RAID MEDIA CONTACT:  Bill Wargo, 296-1888                         The Elkhart County Prosecuting Attorney's Office Organized Crime/Drug Enforcement Unit received a complaint about illegal electronic gambling machines being used at Barney’s Bar, 2700 Hammond Ave., Elkhart. Officers visited the bar and were able to gamble on the machines and received payouts. They also observed other patrons gambling on the machines as well.Barney’s Bar was one of the locations that were visited by Investigators from the Elkhart County Prosecuting Attorney's Office in May of 2003. At that time bar owners and club managers were advised of the applicable Indiana statutes and warned that the operation of these machines was illegal. The owner of Barney’s Bar, Jerry Crisler, age 60, 1230 Eden St., Elkhart,  told Investigator Dave Gizzi that he understood and would not allow the machines back in the bar. This was about the same time as the seizure and filing of criminal charges against Carl Flickenger of Hunter’s Hideaway in Nappanee. Mr. Flickenger pled guilty to Promoting Gambling charges earlier this month.In May of 2003 Mr. Crisler was advised that officers would “spot check” bars in Elkhart County to insure compliance and he indicated that he understood the law and would not install the machines again.On the 28th a search warrant was secured and Investigators from the Elkhart County Prosecuting Attorney's Office as well as officers of the Elkhart Police Department Special Operations Group and CRB went to the bar at 2:00pm. There were several patrons in the bar and they were asked to leave and the bar was closed while officers conducted their search of the establishment. As a result of the search, officers seized two illegal electronic machines, approximately 5000 pull tabs, records of gambling activity and $5,030 in US Currency. Prosecutor Curtis T. Hill Jr. will review the facts of the investigation and determine what criminal charges may be filed. Professional gambling is a Class D Felony.It is believed that the source of these illegal machines has been identified as a business out of Lake County Indiana. The Elkhart County Prosecuting Attorney's Office will be in contact with the owners of that business to discuss their activities in Elkhart County.  Chief investigator Bill Wargo stated that “we have information that there may be some other Elkhart County establishments with these same type of machines, if that is the case, this should serve as a warning that while not a priority, the gambling laws will be enforced.”