The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office Organized Crime Task Force launched a sweeping enforcement operation, executing 21 search warrants across multiple cities as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged illegal gambling enterprise centered in La Marque.
Investigators began serving warrants around 9:30 a.m. on Monday, targeting seven game rooms and a number of other properties connected to what authorities describe as a long-running organized criminal operation with ties to suspected money laundering.
Law enforcement personnel remained on scene throughout the day as evidence processing continued. While no arrests, formal charges, or details regarding seized evidence had been publicly released, officials indicated further information would be made available as the investigation progresses.
The seven game room locations searched were all identified by name: Gold Chest, 5307 Interstate 45; Pig Pen, 5309 Interstate 45; TJ’s, 4320 Interstate 45; Rusty’s, 228 Lake Road; Purple Building, 1002 Main Street; and Double Diamond, 116 State Highway 3 — all in La Marque — along with a location identified as 24/7, 22430 West Highway 6, in Alvin.
The operation extended beyond La Marque into Fort Bend County, where investigators served two warrants in Sugar Land. One of those locations was described as a residence connected to the suspected owner and operator of the Gold Chest game room. The other was a warehouse that investigators believe was used to store and distribute gambling machines tied to the operation.
Twelve additional warrants were served at financial institutions as part of the effort to trace the alleged financial network behind the enterprise.
Assisting agencies included the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office, the Galveston Police Department, the League City Police Department, and the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office.
The Monday operation follows a similar large-scale enforcement action by the same task force in February when investigators executed warrants at 20 locations in Hitchcock. That operation resulted in 33 arrests, the seizure of 749 gambling machines, more than $417,000 in cash, and eight firearms.
Among those arrested was Hitchcock Mayor Christopher Armacost, who also served as assistant superintendent of Hitchcock ISD. Armacost was charged with engaging in organized criminal activity, a felony, after investigators determined he owned the Comfort Zone Washateria on Highway 6, where eight-liner machines were reportedly found. A warrant was also served at Hitchcock City Hall in connection with permitting and inspection records.
Sheriff Jimmy Fullen said the February investigation began after sustained complaints from residents and local business owners. He said he personally met with Mayor Armacost in October to urge the city to address the proliferation of game rooms before ultimately directing the task force to launch its own investigation when complaints continued.
