Illegal Gambling Charges Filed in Raid on Minnick's Bar

Baltimore County police announced Thursday afternoon that criminal charges have been filed against four people accused of operating illegal slot machines at a Dundalk tavern co-owned by a state delegate.

Maryland Del. Joseph "Sonny" Minnick, 78, and his wife Barbara Jean Minnick are listed as co-owners of Minnick’s bar on Sollers Point Road along with Daniel Minnick, the delegate’s brother, according to county liquor license records.

The state delegate and his wife were not charged following an investigation that included a in which officers seized five video game devices.

Daniel Minnick, 85, whose name is listed on the permit application for a "coin operated amusement device license application," was one of the four defendants charged, according to a Baltimore County Police Department press release.

The other defendants charged include an employee and two customers of the tavern. They are: Diana Mills Anthony, Richard George Bell and John Edward Wiessner Jr.  

Detectives observed these three individuals either playing the games, maintaining the machines or making payouts during the investigation, police said.

According to Baltimore County Liquor Board documents reviewed by Patch Wednesday afternoon, the investigation started with a complaint from an anonymous caller that Minnick’s bar “is paying off on machines and have been for years.”

Daniel Minnick, of the 7100 block of Sollers Point Road in Dundalk, has been charged with four counts of possession and maintenance of slot machines, illegal betting and permitting illegal gambling, according to online records.

Diana Mills Anthony, 58, of the 7400 block of Saint Patricia Court in Dundalk, has been charged with possession and maintenance of a slot machine.

Richard George Bell, 66, of the unit block of Kinship Road, has been charged with illegal betting and possession and maintenance of a slot machine.

John Edward Wiessner, 60, of the 6400 block of Bushey St. in Baltimore, has been charged with possession and maintenance of a slot machine.

Trial dates have been set for Sept. 27.

Baltimore County police said the case is being referred to the Baltimore County State's Attorney's Office and would not comment further.

A press from Scott D. Shellenberger, the State's Attorney for Baltimore County said his office is referring the prosecution and charging decisions in the case "to an outside State's Attorney's office who has no connection to Baltimore County government.

Stay tuned to Patch for further updates.