December 20, 2018
Detroit, Dec. 20, 2018 - A 47-year-old Muskegon man was sentenced Dec. 18 to one year in jail with credit for one day served, but he won’t serve time if satisfactory monthly payments are made toward the $19,092 in restitution he now owes to the Muskegon County Sheriff’s Department. Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Rosemarie E. Aquilina also placed James Scott Postema on 60 months of probation for conducting an unlicensed and illegal gambling operation two years ago at Triple Cherries Internet Café, 1930 Apple Ave., Muskegon.
In September, an Ingham County Circuit Court jury convicted Postema on the felony charge, conducting an unlicensed gambling operation with wagering. The charge was filed in 2016 following a joint investigation by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, Muskegon County Sheriff’s Department and Michigan Gaming Control Board.
“Illegal gambling operations operate outside the law and expose their neighbors to unwanted crime,” said Richard Kalm, executive director, Michigan Gaming Control Board. “The MGCB provides expertise to help the Attorney General’s office and local authorities identify and shut down unlicensed operations to protect citizens.”
Postema also was convicted on a second felony count of using computers to commit a crime. He is barred from obtaining a license under the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act.
In August 2016, authorities obtained search warrants against Postema and his business, which culminated in a raid of the Apple Avenue location and his home. Law enforcement officers seized currency, bank and credit union accounts, money orders and computer equipment associated with the illegal business.
"The Michigan Gaming Control Board shall ensure the conduct of fair and honest gaming to protect the interests of the citizens of the State of Michigan."
