Nine South Carolina residents, including three from the Grand Strand, face charges in a multi-state illegal internet casino probe, according to the State Law Enforcement Division.
In addition to the arrests, more than $3 million was seized from six banks in the racketeering investigation, said SLED spokesman Thom Berry.
Joseph Harrington, 57, and Elaine Harrington, 63, of Longs, and Timothy Williams, 47, of North Myrtle Beach were arrested Tuesday on warrants from Seminole County, Florida.
Both Joseph and Elaine Harrington are facing multiple charges relating to slot machines, gambling and money laundering.
Williams is facing money laundering charges.
All three are charged with violating the Florida RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization) Act and conspiring to violate the RICO statutes.
The arrests stem from a multi-year investigation by authorities into a Florida-based nonprofit corporation called Allied Veterans of the World Inc. and Affiliates, Berry said. An Internal Revenue Service search warrant affidavit for an Oklahoma software company alleges the Florida fund-raising corporation centers were actually internet casinos making hundreds of millions of dollars and gave little to charitable causes, he said.
Also arrested were Johnny Ernest Duncan, 65, and Scott Bernard Pruitt, 43, both of Boiling Springs; Eric Jayroe, 37, of Dalzell; Leonard Doyle Lucas, 57, of Lancaster; Joy McAlhaney, 54, of Hampton and Janis Sapp Ryles, 53, of Sumter.
More arrests are likely, Berry said.
Joseph Harrington, Elaine Harrington and Williams are being held at J. Reuben Long Detention Center, charged as fugitives with bail set at $10,000 for all three.
Contact AMANDA KELLEY at 626-0381, or follow her at Twitter.com/TSN_akelley.
