ROGERS (KFSM) — A Rogers man is accused of operating an illegal gambling business out of his home since 2007, according to federal court documents.
Robert Enos Rogers, 72, pleaded not guilty Aug. 18 to operating an illegal gambling business and money laundering.
Federal agents spent 10 months investigating Rogers.
Bank records show roughly $1 million in wagers each year between 2010 and 2017. Investigators believe Rogers used gambling proceeds in the form of cash and checks to pay “large utility bills, cable & internet, and property taxes,” according to the documents.
In September 2016, agents followed Rogers as he spoke with four unnamed men in Benton County, according to court documents. In at least one instance, agents saw Rogers exchange a white bank envelope with another person.
Agents became interested in Rogers’ home on Garrett Road in November 2016, when investigators saw about 20 vehicles parked near a metal building on the north side of the home.
An agent later went undercover to a public viewing of Rogers’ home when it was up for sale.
Inside the detached building, the agent noted several slot machines, safes with poker chips inside, a “smoking room,” numerous televisions, a card table and an office, according to the documents. A Realtor at the open house said “the owner has a lot of card games.”
Agents later found “numerous hand-written notes detailing names, phone numbers, dollar amounts, and spreads” scattered among trash seized from Rogers’ home.
Agents also seized more than $215,000 found in Rogers’ vehicle, home and multiple safe deposit boxes at different banks in Benton County.
Rogers is free on a $10,000 bond. His trial is scheduled for Oct. 2 in U.S. District Court in Fayetteville.
Rogers faces up to five years in prison for running the illegal gambling business and maximum fine of $500,000 for money laundering, according to the documents.
Under the conditions of his release, Rogers is barred from enterin any gambling facility or visitng any gambling websites.