Store Owner Faces Gambling Indictment

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- A Richmond County grand jury indicted the owner of a local convenience store on charges he operated an illegal gambling business out of his store between Jan. 21 and Feb. 11 of this year, The Augusta Chronicle reported.

Vijay Chimanhhai Patel is charged with commercial gambling, keeping a gambling place and possession of a gambling device, according to the indictment returned this week.

The state alleged that Patel possessed three video poker machines at his First Stop Convenience Store, located at 2762 Tobacco Road. Patel was arrested Feb. 11.