More poker players plead to misdemeanors
About two dozen poker players accused of illegal gambling appeared in Hanahan Municipal Court Wednesday morning and about half pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges, though the fate of thousands of dollars in seized assets is likely to remain in the air for some time.
For those who pleaded guilty, Judge Victor Revelise imposed a $257 fine for the charge of unlawful games and betting. Others received a continuance that postpones their court dates for another two weeks. Others await jury trials.
"For the people who pleaded guilty today or entered into pre-trial-intervention program, this matter is theoretically over," said defense attorney Mark Peper, who is representing several players.
Among his clients was Martin Orlando Reyes, whose Hanahan home was raided by sheriff's deputies April 4. Reyes was one of 19 people to plead guilty to misdemeanors in Charleston County magistrate court on Monday.
A number of others, including former 1st Circuit Deputy Solicitor Don Sorenson and Charleston police Cpl. Michael McElveen, are still awaiting their day in court. Of the 65 suspects identified in the case, deputies have arrested all but 11, Sheriff's Maj. John Clark said.
Charleston County deputies and Hanahan police carried out the raid jointly. Clark said about $62,000 was seized that night.
The money will be turned over to Charleston County's general fund, though the original owners will have the right to petition for it in civil court.
Peper said he planned to try to get back his clients' assets because he viewed the seizure as a violation of their Fifth Amendment rights.
Mark Silverstein, who pleaded guilty Wednesday, said officers took about $1,500 from his pocket, as well as his driver's license and some cell phones. He said most of the seized property had nothing to do with card games.
"This is another police-county fundraiser," he said.
He doesn't expect to get it back and thought it would be a hassle to fight in court.
"It's too much of a pain," he said.
Reach Noah Haglund at 937-5550 or nhaglund@postandcourier.com
E-mail this story 
Printer-friendly version
Notice about comments:
The Post and Courier is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. The Post and Courier does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "suggest removal" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our Web site.
Full terms and conditions can be read here.
Comments
This article has 3 comment(s)
Posted by FrankCastle on April 16, 2008 at 5:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
SECTION 16-19-80. Forfeiture of wagers. [SC ST SEC 16-19-80]
All and every sum or sums of money staked, betted or pending on the event of any such game or games as aforesaid are hereby declared to be forfeited.
Posted by lillycollette on April 16, 2008 at 5:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
http://www.scstatehouse.net/code/t16c019......
ยง16-19-100. Imprisonment in case of conviction.
Upon conviction of any person under any of the provisions of Sections 16-19-40, 16-19-50 or 16-19-90, the court before whom such conviction shall take place shall commit such offender to the common jail of the county in which such conviction shall happen for a period not exceeding the time for which such offender has been sentenced, unless such offender shall sooner pay the fine or fines herein imposed, -- TOGETHER WITH THE COST OF PROSECUTION.--
Posted by Chancellor on April 16, 2008 at 6:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks for the info Frank...so, therefore, any monies taken from pockets or personal safes should not have been confiscated unless it can be proven that those monies were to be awarded pending the outcome of the current hand of poker.