Sheriff's Department Shuts Down Two Businesses a Second Time
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Posted: 5:55 AM Feb 9, 2012
Sheriff's Department Shuts Down Two Businesses a Second Time
The internet cafe debate is heating up again in Jackson County. The sheriff's department shut down two of the operations this week that had re-opened.
Reporter: Bryan Anderson
Email Address: news@wctv.tv
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MARIANNA, FL 2/9/2012 -- The Big Dawg and Kindel Lanes Bowling Alley's internet cafes in Marianna remained closed Wednesday.

"We seized computers, documentation records," said Jackson County Sheriff Lou Roberts.

Roberts said he and his deputies busted the two businesses for a second time Tuesday.

"What were the owners reactions when they saw you guys show up yesterday?," asked WCTV's Bryan Anderson.

"I think it was deja vu all over again, they're here again," said Roberts.

This comes as lawmakers continue to battle it out in Tallahassee over the legality of these businesses. The House is pushing a bill that would ban them outright, while the Senate calls instead for regulation.

But there's not been a final decision yet, and some fear legislators are farther from making one than when they first started.

"There are so many clouded issues as to which way it could go," said Roberts.

Despite the ongoing debate, Roberts and many other authorities around the state say they hope for a clear-cut answer sometime soon. Roberts said until then he'll continue to go off the opinions of Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and Jackson County's grand jury.

"Our stance is still that it doesn't pass the standard in the gambling statutes in Florida," said Roberts.

There's still an ongoing lawsuit between Specialized Games L.L.C., which ran Kindel Lanes' cafe, and Sheriff Roberts and the State. It's not clear how Tuesday's shut down could affect the case.


Latest Comments

Posted by: IDIOTS Location: JACKSON CO. on Feb 13, 2012 at 08:15 PM

FUNNY! YET HE IS TRYING SO HARD. THIS MAN HAS SENT THE WRONG PEOPLE TO PRISON. ALL HE CARES ABOUT IS RE-ELECTION. PUT HIM IN JAIL TO GET THE DUMB VOTERS. SMH
Posted by: The Taxpay Yours on Feb 13, 2012 at 05:44 PM

Oh what a let down!! I almost jumped with joy because I thought this story was going to be about someone shutting the sherrif department.
Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 9, 2012 at 10:17 AM

Once again you have a sheriff, attorney general, and a grand jury who cannot make laws--only enforce them, if and only if the laws are clear.....only stupid hillbillies think they are empowered to legislate from their offices--IMPEACH ALL OF THEM!
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