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Authorities: Haines City pub is gambling house

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TBO.com Staff

Published: July 31, 2009

A raid at Haines City tavern this week netted nine on gambling charges and eight illegal slot machines.

A month-long joint investigation that included the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the Haines City Police Department and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives raided Amos' Tavern, 200 U.S. 17/92, north of Haines City this week.

Deputies said the investigation began on June 24, when word got to authorities that there were illegal slot machines and card games inside the bar.

Among those arrested was Ernest Amos, 62, owner of the bar. He was charged with one count of keeping a gambling house, eight counts of possession of an electronic gambling machine and one count of gambling.

Deputies said Amos hosted illegal Texas Hold 'em poker games in which he sold chips to payers at a cost of $1 each. Winners were awarded a portion of the cash collected.

Eight, all from Haines City, each were charged with one count of gambling: Dennis Benoit, 56; Douglas Corley, 56; Lovann Dockeney, 66; Terrence Dockeney, 57; Nancy Ellis, 69; W.D. Hale, 78; Antonio Hernandez-Cruz, 28; and Ronald Kimball, 61.

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