- April 20, 2024
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Story courtesy of the Flagler County Sheriff's Office, by Public Affairs Manager Brittany Kershaw
While on patrol a few months ago, Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly responded to Dakota Joe's Senior Entertainment Center, located at 2245 S. Old Dixie Highway in Bunnell, for a call for service. While working the call, Staly entered Dakota Joe's and spoke with the manager. The Sheriff noticed some suspicious activity that resembled electronic gambling.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office's Special Investigation Unit has conducted numerous undercover operations at Dakota Joe's and discovered gaming devices in the establishment that pay winners in money. This enabled detectives to secure a search warrant on the building for gambling related offenses. The search warrant was executed on Friday, May 10, by members of SIU and members of the Investigative Services Division.
Detectives seized five gaming machines and monetary proceeds related to the gambling. No arrests have been made at this time. The investigation is active and ongoing.
The business was previously served with a cease and desist letter on Nov. 1, 2018, after investigating an armed robbery that took place at the business on Oct. 29, 2018. The gambling activities ended for a period of time before starting back up again.
“These internet cafes are illegal in Florida and often become targets for crimes, just like the armed robbery that took place at this same establishment last October,” Staly said. “We gave them fair warning the first time that their activity is illegal in Florida. Now we are back again after finding illegal activity. Any similar businesses operating in Flagler County need to cut their losses and close their
doors or face arrest with a future ‘Operation End Game’ coming to you.”
