Gambling charges to be sought after raid at racing track

By Josh Rabe

Published: July 31, 2007

Twenty-eight people remained jailed Monday in Love County, suspected of taking part in an illegal horse racing operation raided by authorities Sunday evening.

Investigators are seeking gambling charges against most of those arrested, but charges may not be filed until later this week, said Joellyn McCormick, assistant attorney general.

"We need to determine who we have in custody and who owned the property that was seized before we go forward with any charges,” McCormick said.

Investigators took about $100,000 in cash during the Sunday raid, along with horses, trailers and other equipment investigators said was used in unlicensed horse races.

In addition to racetrack betting, investigators found evidence of illegal beer sales and doping the animals to improve their performance, said Jessica Brown, spokeswoman for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

About 75 people were arrested at the track Sunday evening, but most were released because authorities didn't have space to hold them at the Love County jail, Brown said. Those who weren't held overnight were released on their own recognizance after promising to appear in court later to face charges.

About 85 race horses were taken from the track south of Thackerville near the Oklahoma-Texas line. The horses were inspected by the state Agriculture, Food and Forestry Department, and will likely be sold at auction, Brown said.

Jack Carson, spokesman for the Agriculture Department, said he couldn't disclose the location of the horses but said they appeared healthy.

Investigators have identified one man, Jesse Romero, whom they suspect acted as "general manager” of the racetrack, McCormick said. Others suspected of organizing the race could be charged with illegal commercial gambling, racketeering and conspiracy against the state and could be sentenced up to life in prison, she said.

Those suspected of betting on the horse races may be charged with felony gambling, which is punishable by 10 to 20 years in prison.

Under state law, horse races must be licensed and regulated by the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission, which led the investigation into the track. The commission's director, Constantin Rieger, was not available for comment Monday.

The track was on land west of WinStar Casino near Interstate 35 that belonged to a deceased landowner with no family living in Oklahoma, Brown said.

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