Four Charged in Alleged Gambling Ring

A multi-agency raid of a North Jersey illegal gambling ring Thursday led to the arrests of four individuals and the seizure of $60,000 in cash and more than $100,000 in electronic equipment, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office said.

According to the prosecutor's office, simultaneous raids were conducted Thursday afternoon of two Connections Cafe locations on Route 23 in Pompton Plains and on New Road in Parsippany.

The investigation began when members of the Pequannock Township Police Department became aware of alleged illegal gambling activities at the two locations, the prosecutor's office said.

Undercover agents were able to identify the alleged illegal activity, leading to Thursday's raids and arrests, the prosecutor's office said.

Chester Ward, 39, of Wayne, was charged with two counts of third-degree promoting/operating a gambling facility, two counts of third-degree promoting gambling conduct that materially aids gambling activity, two counts of fourth-degree maintaining a gambling resort and two counts of fourth-degree conspiracy to maintain a gambling resort.

Ward was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility in lieu of $50,000 bail with a 10 percent option and bail source hearing.

Gary Roach, 55, of Wayne, Jason R. Bolsch, 39, of Hasbrouck Heights, and Jeffrey T. Spencer, 24, of Rockaway, were each charged with third-degree promoting/operating a gambling facility, third-degree promoting gambling by conduct that materially aids gambling activity, fourth-degree maintaining a gambling resort and fourth-degree conspiracy to maintain a gambling resort.

Roach was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility in lieu of $40,000 bail with a 10 percent option and a bail source hearing.

Bolsch and Spencer were each released on summonses to appear in court.

The investigation was conducted by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcements Homeland Security Investigations, Pequannock Township and Parsippany Troy-Hills Police.

“Our thanks are extended to our law enforcement partners who working together put a quick end to this illegal operation," Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi said in a prepared statement.

Anyone with information should contact the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at 973-285-6200 or the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Stopper Program at 973-COPCALL.