[clevfan]

State Police arrest eight on gambling counts

Advocate staff report
Published: Nov 15, 2006

State Police arrested eight people and confiscated almost $20,000 Tuesday in an investigation of a gambling operation in Lutcher and Houma, a spokesman said.

Troopers started investigating the sports booking operation almost a year ago, State Police spokesman Dwight Robinette said.

Gamblers bet on three-team parlays in both college and professional football, basketball and baseball, Robinette said. To cash out on a three-team parlay, all teams receiving bets have to win, leading to better payouts but longer odds.

The operation started at the St. James Easy Does It club, 1952 W. Main St., in Lutcher and expanded to N&N Auto Sales, 6955 W. Main St., in Houma, Robinette said. Search warrants executed at both locations resulted in about $18,000 in seized cash.

The operation was headquartered in Lutcher, Robinette added.

State Police arrested the following eight people accused of gambling, a violation of Louisiana Revised Statute 14:90, a crime punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 or prison for up to five years:


Lynn Naquin, 54, 1665 Doctor Beatrous Road, Theriot.
Charles Brack, 65, 1279 Buddy Whitney, Lutcher.
Joseph Banks, 38, 2113 Miles St., Lutcher.
Daniel "Polo" Veron, 59, 2415 Albert St., Lutcher.
Hendricks "Pecker" Veron, 69, 1864 Dale St., Lutcher.
Ernest Woodland, 60, 2363 W. Lebray, Lutcher.
Kent Haydel, 50, 7165 Ernest Floyd Road, Gonzales.
Karl Oubre, 56, 942 Darrow, Gonzales.
Naquin, the alleged leader of the operation, also was booked with possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia, Robinette said.