Lee County Authorities Bust Illegal Casino

Sanford, N.C. — Alcohol, cash, poker chips and full-scale gambling tables have been seized from a hidden room in a Sanford garage, authorities said.

Michael Dana Anderson, 50, of 482 Bullard Road in Harnett County, was charged with possession of gaming tables and selling liquor without a license.

After receiving several tips, Lee County deputies raided Kendale Service Center at 1507 S. Horner Blvd. and confiscated eight cases of poker chips, cards, poker tables, $275 in cash, an illegal slot machine and bottles of liquor.

"It had the appearance that it was an active gambling casino," Lee County Sheriff Tracy Carter said. "I'm sure he knew (the gaming tables) were illegal, but he does now if he didn't."

One of the gaming tables was so large that deputies had to have Anderson remove one of his walls so they could get it out.

Two legal video poker machines also were in the back room at the garage.

"We were really shocked that right across the street from the courthouse and the sheriff's office that we had that kind of gaming going on," said Sandra Trogdon, who lives nearby. "We couldn't exactly figure out when they were doing it because we didn't see that much extra business during the day."

An employee at Kendale Service Center said they were just storing the tables at the business. Anderson said he's planning to fight the misdemeanor charges.