Police Bust Illegal Poker Game at Edgemere Social Club

Five men were arrested Friday night after an undercover Baltimore County vice detectives gained access into ongoing illegal poker games at a private Edgemere social club.

Lt. Robert McCullough, a county police spokesman, said for at least the past year, if not more, Texas Hold 'Em games were held regularly at the Lynch Point Social Club in the 3100 block of Roger Rd., where five organizers made as much as $1,500 in profit a night.

"It was a long-term investigation," McCullough said. "Baltimore County police executed a search and seizure warrant. Baltimore County Police vice-detectives and tactical unit members raided the location and found 41 people playing high-stakes, Texas Hold 'Em poker.

"There were at least five poker tables where poker was being played, and stacks of chips, playing cards and notepads with peoples names and numbers of dollars were seized."

A large quantity of cash was also seized. McCullough said that the Baltimore County Police Department typically does not provide exact dollar figures, saying only that it was "more than $10,000."

Several illegal slot machines were also found on the premises, McCullough said, which typically brought in $700-$800 week.

Michael Benton Gilbert, 35, of the 3100 block of Lynch Rd., was charged with eight gambling-related offenses, including keeping/maintaining a gambling table, possession of a slot machine, possession of a coin-operated device without a license and gambling-building owner/occupant.

"He admitted to running the Texas Hold 'Em at the location," McCullough said.

Benton was released from jail on his own recognizance and a trial date has been set for April 11, according to court records. 

An online Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation records search of the location where the gambling allegedly took place showed the building is owned by the Lynch Point Social Club, Inc. It is listed as a non-primary residence without tax exempt status.

According to an online Taxpayer Services Division search, the Lynch Point Social Club, Inc. is incorporated as an “ordinary business,” in good standing. David Catlin of the 6800 block of North River Drive in Baltimore is listed as the current resident agent of Lynch Point Social Club, Inc., first registered in 1957.

"They make money renting out the hall to various groups," McCollough said.

Brian Keith Stitt, 40, of the 3200 block of Greenhill Rd., in Edgemere; Theodore Raymond Boccia, 50, of the 3000 block of Dunmurry Rd., in Dundalk; Neil Sung-Ji Young, 27, of the 8800 block of Shining Oceans Way in Columbia; and Jeffrey Cho Lee, 25, of the 500 block of Jumpers Hole Rd. in Severna Park; were all charged with two counts of gambling-related charges.

Police allege they acted as card dealers.

McCollough would not comment on how wide-spread illegal gambling may be in Baltimore County, but said, "we frequently investigate violations of the gambling laws of Baltimore County."

McCollough added that illegal gambling can lead to other crimes, and participants in the games put the themselves at the risk of robbery. Other crimes, such as domestic abuse and property theft, sometimes stem from those with gambling addictions as well, McCollough said.

Their trial dates have also been set for April 1.

Justin Fenton’s reported the story in a post Wednesday night on the website of the Baltimore Sun.