Authorities raid illegal gambling operations in Georgia and Tennessee

Thursday, March 23, 2000 | 11:03 a.m.

The businesses raided Wednesday night reportedly were involved in the operation of video poker machines.

Authorities said 117 illegal machines were seized in Hamilton County in Tennessee, and Catoosa and Walker counties in Georgia.

An undetermined amount of cash also was seized.

A two-month undercover operation revealed operatives were paid money after winning certificates on video poker machines, authorities said.

Kimberly Wentworth, 34, is charged with two counts of commercial gambling and one count of obstruction. Carol Ann Green Purdue is charged with one count of commercial gambling, according to Georgia authorities.

A third suspect, Darrin Webb of Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., was being sought by authorities Wednesday night.

Webb, 35, is charged with commercial gambling and violation of the Georgia control substance law after officers seized steroids at his home.

"Without question, this is an orchestrated gambling operation revolving around Mr. Webb," said Catoosa County Sheriff Phil Summers, who said Webb is the owner of all the businesses.

Authorities say they expect to make about 10 more arrests.

Webb, Purdue and Wentworth all were arrested in January during a similar raid in which authorities arrested 10 people, seized $54,000 in cash and confiscated 99 video poker machines.

Ringgold, Ga., is about 20 miles southeast of Chattanooga.