On Sunday morning just after midnight Lake Wales Police executed a search warrant at 344 W Lincoln Avenue in Lake Wales.
The search warrant was the result of an investigation into an illegal gambling operation at that location. The business at 344 W Lincoln Avenue, Hood Tee’s and Graphics, opened in August
2014 and was operated by Rolan Lenard Milligan, 58, of 831 N Lake
shore Blvd #7. Soon thereafter, police noticed activity at the business during late hours and
began monitoring the location for criminal activity. It soon became obvious the T-shirt
business was only a front for criminal activity.
In February 2016 members of the Lake Wales Police Department’s Crime Suppression
Unit gathered enough evidence to obtain a search warrant based on Milligan operating
a gambling operation and pool hall instead of a clothing store.
When officers entered the business they discovered numerous people inside the
Business, some of which were actively gambling, drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco, and
in possession of illegal drugs.
The following subjects were arrested during the operation:
Rolan L. Milligan – Charged with keeping a gambling house and keeping a structure for drug related purposes. Milligan was in possession of $1,549. More charges may follow as a result of this investigation. Milligan’s criminal history includes sexual battery, battery, battery domestic violence, trafficking cocaine, possession of cannabis with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia, indecent exposure, keeping a gambling house, criminal mischief, and trespassing.
Jaaron L. Powell, 32, of 2496 Appaloosa Rd, Lake Wales. Powell was found to be on active probation with a court imposed curfew of 10:00 pm to 6:00 am. He was charged with violation of probation. Powell’s criminal history includes shoot/throw deadly missile into occupied building, burglary, buy/deal in stolen property, grand theft, aggravated battery, grand theft auto, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of an injunction, fraud, violation of probation, forgery, trespassing, battery, and criminal mischief.
Byron E. Ward, 26, of 209 Dr J A Wiltshire Avenue W was arrested for two active arrest warrants. One warrant was for knowingly driving while license suspended and the other
Building Partnerships for a Safer Community was for possession of cannabis. Ward’s criminal history includes driving while license suspended or revoked, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Joseph Bundrage, 43, of 517 Dr MLK JR Blvd, Lake Wales was arrested for gambling.
He was found actively gambling when Officers entered and was in possession of $771.
Bundrage’s criminal history includes disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, battery, battery domestic violence, driving while license suspended or revoked, petit theft, littering, possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to sell, aggravated assault, improper display of a weapon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, criminal mischief, retail theft, robbery, and trespassing.
Curtis Richards, 24, of 506 Crescent Circle, Lake Wales was arrested for gambling. He was found actively gambling when Officers entered and was in possession of $330.18. Richards’ criminal history includes driving while license suspended or revoked.
Johnny J. Thomas, 54, of 2324 Lilly Street, Lake Wales was arrested for gambling. He was found actively gambling. He claimed not to know what was going on until Officers located $754.88 wrapped around gaming dice in his pocket. Thomas’ criminal history includes violation of probation, aggravated assault domestic violence, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, fugitive from justice, resisting arrest with and without violence, possession of cocaine with intent to sell, gambling, battery on a law enforcement officer, possession of marijuana, driving while license suspended or revoked, forged driver’s license, permit minor to gamble, agent of a gambling house, possession of cocaine, and fleeing to elude.
Patrick Thompson, 31, of 114 Sunrise Parkway, Lake Wales was arrested for gambling after being found actively in the game. He was in possession of $136. Thompson’s criminal history includes affray, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, and resisting arrest.
Charlie Lee Atkins Jr, 36, of 27 W Crystal Avenue, Lake Wales was arrested for gambling and giving false information to Officers. Adkins, who had no identification on him, gave Officers a fake name despite the fact that some of the Officers there recognized him. He stated that he lied because he wanted Officers to figure out who he was on their own. He was in possession of $122. Atkins’ criminal history includes robbery with a weapon, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, driving while license suspended or revoked, possession of marijuana, sell/manufacture narcotics, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of probation, and battery domestic violence.
China I. Brinson, 25, of 504 S 4th Street, Lake Wales was charged with possession of ecstasy and possession of drug paraphernalia after the narcotics were located in her purse.
Brinson’s criminal history includes no valid driver’s license, violation of injunction, driving while license suspended or revoked, violation of probation, fraud, grand theft, resisting arrest, and petit theft.
Jeffery Broadnax, 41, of 2219 Bouyer Street, Lake Wales was charged with gambling. He was found to be in possession of $1057. Broadnax’s criminal history includes battery domestic violence, armed burglary, armed robbery, use of a weapon by felon, kidnapping during felony, resisting arrest, burglary, aggravated battery, possession of marijuana, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana with intent to sell within 1000 feet of a school, and violation of probation.
Shaquan Bonds, 25, of 516 Lemon Street, Lake Wales was charged with gambling. He was found to be in possession of $1562.80. Bonds’criminal history includes violation of probation, robbery with a firearm, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while license suspended or revoked, resisting arrest, aggravated battery and disorderly conduct.
Ortance A. Robey, 43, of 400 C Street, Lake Wales was charged with possession of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia. Robey’s criminal history includes possession of marijuana with intent to sell within 1000 feet of a school, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, child abuse, and dangerous drugs.
Laquilla L. Leeks, 24, of 113 Washington Avenue, Lake Wales was charged with resisting an Officer without violence after she refused commands to remain outside the crime scene. She insisted on getting a closer look at what was occurring inside the business. Leeks’ criminal history includes grand theft, fraud, and battery.
Joshua Miller, 28, of 315 D Street #3, Lake Wales was charged with gambling. He was
found to be in possession of $2381. Miller’s criminal history includes possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, aggravated battery, and violation of probation.
Tammy Green, 47, of 145 W Northside Drive, Lake Wales was charged with gambling.
She was in possession of $259.26. She was angry with Officers for arresting her and stated the money she had was her monthly government assistance check. Green’s criminal history includes possession of cocaine with intent to sell within 1000 feet of a school, robbery, resisting arrest, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, carry concealed, fugitive from justice, petit theft, controlled substance, battery domestic violence, disorderly conduct, driving while license suspended or revoked, tampering with a witness, and criminal mischief.
Emanuel Valentin, 24, of 2936 Dover Lane, Lakeland was arrested for resisting
an Officer without violence. Valentin’s criminal history includes battery, forgery, fraud, grand theft, and resisting arrest.
Shawn L. Russell, 41, of 934 Oxford Way, Lake Wales was arrested for gambling. He had $3. Russell’s criminal history includes battery domestic violence, violation of probation, possession of drug paraphernalia, withhold support, possession of drug paraphernalia, grand theft auto, fleeing to elude, reckless driving, possession of burglary tools, dealing in stolen property, defraud pawn, driving while license suspended or revoked, battery, possession of cocaine, operating an unregistered vehicle, resisting arrest, burglary, grand theft, petit theft, and criminal mischief.
John E. Wright, 49, of 9127 Thomasville Drive, Winter Haven was charged with gambling. He was in possession of $388.48. Wright’s criminal history includes trafficking cocaine and sale of cocaine.
Theotis Hamilton, 28, of 959 Old Scenic Highway was arrested for gambling. He had $172.07. Hamilton’s criminal history includes assault, affray, possession of marijuana, violation of probation, aggravated assault with a weapon, battery, driving while license suspended or revoked, kidnapping, and robbery.
Christopher Seales, 31, of 32 W Seminole Avenue Apt B was arrested for possession of cannabis. Seales’ criminal history includes violation of probation, possession of marijuana, driving while license suspended or revoked, battery domestic violence, possession of marijuana with intent to sell within 1000 feet of a church, resisting arrest, possession of drug paraphernalia, kidnapping, loitering and prowling, no valid driver’s license, hit and run, fleeing to elude, possession of cocaine, possession of a weapon by convicted felon, dangerous drugs, and a bomb threat.
Terrance L. Barnes, 43, of 7187 Summit Avenue, Lake Wales was arrested for gambling. He was in possession of $152. Barnes’ criminal history includes murder, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, sale of cocaine, and violation of probation.
Andre M. Warner, 26, of 3601 N 55thStreet Apt A, Tampa was arrested for violation of probation. Warner was on probation for armed robbery in Georgia. During that incident a Law Enforcement Officer was shot and wounded by Warner’s accomplice, Chris Barnett. Warner’s criminal history includes robbery with a weapon, fraud, grand theft, criminal mischief, contributing to a minor, and violation of probation.
Ralph William Jr, 37, of 1543 Tangelo Street, Lake Wales was arrested for gambling. He was in possession of $360. William’s criminal history includes battery domestic violence, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, fleeing to elude, reckless driving, violation of probation, petit theft and resisting arrest.
Carlton E. Robinson, 37, of 147 W Northside Drive, Lake Wales was charged with resisting an Officer without violence. Robinson’s criminal history includes driving while license suspended or revoked, battery, battery domestic violence, sexual assault, resisting arrest, fleeing to elude, possession of cocaine, burglary, petit theft, and grand theft.
As a result of the search warrant a total of $10,065.99 cash was seized as evidence. As noted above the majority of the cash was seized from those who were arrested but the difference was located lying loose inside the business. The illegal narcotics which were seized consisted of 41.8 grams of marijuana, 2.5 grams of cocaine, and 10 packages of suspected K2. All subjects who were arrested were transported to the Polk County Jail.
“Residents are encouraged to report businesses and residences they suspect are involved in illegal activity or operating inappropriately. These locations encourage the criminal element and create fear in those who live nearby. As a result of this investigation it turns out the odds in this gambling house were not in the favor of the ‘house’ or the ‘player’, the odds were in the favor of the community.”
Anyone who has information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Officer John Mongeon at (863) 678-4223 extension 597 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at (800) 226-8477.
