Search warrant executed at store in Sasser

SASSER — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday executed 16 search warrants in multiple Georgia cities and counties, including one at a convenience store in Sasser.

According to officials with the GBI, the purpose of the searches was to collect possible evidence related to crimes of commercial gambling and to seize monetary assets gained from the illegal use of coin-operated gambling machines.

The search warrants were executed at one undisclosed residence as well as business locations in Macon, LaGrange, Savannah, Warner Robins, and at 8125 Albany Highway in Sasser, the release states. A Google search shows the Sasser address as the location of Kuntry Korner store.

The GBI states that various state law enforcement agencies as well as the Georgia Lottery Corporation and the Georgia Department of Revenue participated or cooperated in the warrant executions.

According to the GBI, all of the search locations are licensed to operate Coin Operated Amusement Machines (COAM) under the master license of Sudama Resorts, Inc., but during the course of an investigation, agents discovered that around 25 percent of customers were receiving cash payouts for winning credits. In Georgia, credits may only be redeemed for lottery tickets or store merchandise.

GBI officials say arrests are pending in the investigation.