Police raid nets gambling arrest

By Staff
Jason Houston Acting Publisher
The Russellville Police conducted a raid on a Carol Street residence over the weekend that resulted in the arrest of a local man on gambling charges, Chief Chris Hargett said.
James Christopher Tompkins, 33, of Oak Hill Drive in Russellville, was arrested and charged with two counts of possession of a gambling device, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and illegal possession of prohibited liquor for the purpose of resale.
Also, a 17-year-old juvenile was arrested for second-degree possession of marijuana.
Individuals at the residence were gambling on "cherry master" machines, Hargett said, that had been placed in the shell of old arcade games.
"We received information about this activity going on, and we took action to stop it," Hargett said. "There were gambling machines, and people were selling beer for $2 each."
Hargett said agents from Alabama Beverage Control, the Franklin County District Attorney's office, and the Franklin County Sheriff's Department assisted in the case.