JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters and members of his staff discussed the details of a multi-year gambling investigation called “Operation Fish & Chips” which resulted in 12 arrests and the seizure of millions of dollars in assets.
During a news conference Wednesday, Waters said two murders, eight robberies and 26 aggravated assaults were connected to the illegal gambling locations in Duval County.
Recommended Videos
“By shutting down these illegal gaming locations and seizing their criminal proceeds, we remove one accelerant that ignites violence in our community,” Waters said.
Press play below to watch the full news conference
Waters said 12 people were arrested and accused of “being agents, employees or keepers” of gambling houses across the county.
According to JSO, the multi-agency operation also resulted in the seizure of 263 illegal gaming devices, $2.5 million in illegally sourced cash, 15 vehicles in one trailer valued at almost $1.7 million, two houses, jewelry, watches and purses valued at $1.2 million.
“These figures are early in conservative estimates, there are bank accounts and safe deposit boxes have yet to be itemized, so these figures will likely change,” Waters said.
A 32-page document filed through the Florida Department of Legal Affairs, explains the scheme had been in operation since at least 2021 and took place at 10 different facilities spread through different parts of Jacksonville. Among those charged is Jerry Bass.
Bass was at the center of the Allied Veterans of the World internet cafe scandal, which broke in 2013, resulting in dozens of arrests. Bass pleaded no contest in that scandal to avoid jail time. Bass has remained inside the Duval County jail since his arrest Wednesday, Dec. 11. Also inside the jail charged in connection with the case are Ryan Strickland, Robin Rukab Azzam, George Azzam, and Derek Fleming.
According to the documents, the group operated the scheme known as “The Establishment” at the following locations:
- 5354 Verna Boulevard (the “Verna” Establishment)
- 4547 Shirley Avenue (the “Shirley” Establishment, also known as “Jax Social”)
- 5331 Lenox Avenue (the “Lenox” Establishment)
- 1513 Lane Avenue (the “Lane” Establishment)
- 734 Edgewood Avenue North (the “Edgewood” Establishment, also known as “Paxon”)
- 5045 Soutel Drive (the “Soutel” Establishment)
- 4006 North Main Street (the “Main Street” Establishment)
- 8014 Lem Turner Road (the “Turner” Establishment)
- 4578 Blanding Boulevard (the “Blanding” Establishment)
- 6530 San Juan Avenue (the “San Juan” Establishment)
The documents show the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office zeroed in on the scheme following multiple citizens' complaints about the facilities. In the documents, the defendants are listed as being “high level members of the enterprise,” with money obtained from the operation being used to buy real property, cars, and other personal property.
RELATED: Security guard killed after being shot multiple times inside Westside business
At the center of the investigation is George Azzam and his wife, Robin Rukab Azzam. Rukab Azzam was involved in the internet cafe business and even spoke to News4JAX on camera after the Allied Veterans of the World scandal broke. In the documents, Rukab Azzam is referred to as the “boss.” She’s accused of laundering money obtained through the ring, depositing over one million dollars in various bank accounts, storing money at her home, among other accusations.
The court filing also shows Bass helped run the business on Shirley Avenue and helped Rukab Azzam with money laundering. Ryan Strickland is accused of providing the illegal gambling software, getting the machines, and money laundering money.
News4JAX spoke with a person who lives near Strickland. The person asked to remain anonymous but shared pictures of the police presence on Wednesday. Videos shared by the source also showed several cars being towed away from the property including a black Jeep, an Escalade, and a white Rolls Royce.
“I knew that a lot of stuff had happened over the years that I’d seen with activity over there, high-end cars, constantly changing things,” the person said. “Like roofs and building new structures in the last two years were a big red flag to me, because I couldn’t understand where all the money was coming from.
Several others are also named as defendants in the case, including some defendants' family members. The charges listed in the filings include racketeering, money laundering, keeping a gambling house, RICO, conspiracy to commit RICO, conducting a lottery, etc. Many of the defendants are slated to face a judge in January.
Also listed in the filings are several crimes reported at some of the locations, including at least one burglary, a reported robbery, and a report of an armed individual. Most notably, in October, a security guard was shot and killed in October at the Dragon Arcade location on Edgewood Avenue North (also known as “Paxon” establishment). The documents show the police observed the illegal gambling devices while responding to some of the above calls.
Some of the charges of those arrested include conspiracy to commit racketeering, conducting an unlawful lottery, possession of slot machines and keeping a gambling house.
Waters said there is one outstanding warrant in this case.
