5 arrested, nearly 60 illegal slot machines seized in Sarasota County illegal gambling investigation
SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday that five people were arrested on charges related to illegal gambling.
The sheriff's office said it worked with the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) to arrest 34-year-old Ciara Boles, 29-year-old Stivi Breshani, 26-year-old Emily Gill, 44-year-old Ilir Iskali and 42-year-old Christine McCormack.
Deputies said the arrests were the result of an investigation that began in April 2024 into multiple illegal gambling establishments within the county.
'Our agency has received many complaints about these illegal establishments popping up in Sarasota County. This is the first of many steps towards holding them accountable and closing them down,' Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman said.
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The sheriff's office said it arrested Gill at the business on Feb. 26. The SCSO Fugitive Apprehension Unit assisted with the location and arrests of Boles and McCormack on the same day. Two days later, an additional arrest warrant was obtained for Breshani, who was arrested and taken into custody. On March 3, Iskali turned himself in at the Sarasota County Correctional Facility.
According to deputies, all five people were charged with criminal enterprise (RICO). Additional charges among the five suspects included possession of a slot machine, maintaining a gambling establishment and money laundering.
The sheriff's office said almost 60 illegal slot machines were seized from the business.
'The Florida Gaming Control Commission is proud to partner with Sarasota County Sheriff's Office. SCSO has made its home safer by targeting those responsible for siphoning away funds from their neighbors with illegal slot machines. These unlawful machines are unregulated and lack any consumer protections,' said Ross Marshman, Florida Gaming Control Commission Acting Executive Director.
Investigators said they are still searching for another suspect, Llia Lulo. Anyone with information regarding Lulo's whereabouts is asked to submit an anonymous tip to Crimestoppers at 941-366-8477 or SarasotaCrimestoppers.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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