VICTORIA, Texas – Three people are facing charges of illegal gambling, money laundering and organized criminal activity following a law enforcement raid on a business in Victoria on May 29 at approximately 8 p.m.
The Victoria Police Department, along with Victoria County sheriff’s deputies and the Texas Department of Public Safety, conducted a search warrant at a business in the 1900 block of Kern Drive. The warrant was issued after an investigation into illegal gambling operations at the business.
Tiffany Beltran, 37; Alexis Madrigal, 29; and Huhiny Bennett-Merlin, 51, were arrested and face charges of money laundering and engaging in organized criminal activity.
All three suspects are being charged with money laundering involving between $2,500 and $30,000 which is a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in a state jail facility and a fine of up to $10,000. Engaging in organized criminal activity is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in county jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
Bennett-Merlin remains in the Victoria County Jail on bonds totaling $40,000. Beltran and Madrigal have since been released on bond.
Authorities are still investigating the incident.
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