Fall River, Somerset, Dighton residents indicted in large scale money laundering, illegal gambling scheme

Boston — Six individuals and a Swansea-based company have been indicted in connection with a large-scale investigation into an illegal gambling and money laundering scheme in Southeastern Massachusetts, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

Last week, a Statewide Grand Jury indicted the leaders of this alleged criminal enterprise and company Televend, Inc. on the following charges:

Clifford Wilson, age 56, of Dighton
Keeping a Place for Registering Bets (1 count)
Organizing and Promoting Gambling (1 count)
Unlawful Operation of a Gaming Device (1 count)
Money Laundering (1 count)
Conspiracy (3 counts)

Deodato Faria, age 68, of Fall River
Keeping a Place for Registering Bets (1 count)
Organizing and Promoting Gambling (1 count)
Unlawful Operation of a Gaming Device (1 count)
Money Laundering (1 count)
Conspiracy (3 counts)

John Camara, age 59, of Somerset
Keeping a Place for Registering Bets (1 count)
Unlawful Operation of a Gaming Device (1 count)
Conspiracy (1 count)

Antone Oliveira, age 75, of Fall River
Keeping a Place for Registering Bets (1 count)
Unlawful Operation of a Gaming Device (1 count)
Intimidation of a Witness (1 count)
Conspiracy (1 count)

Natercia Teixeira, age 44, of Fall River
Keeping a Place for Registering Bets (1 count)
Unlawful Operation of a Gaming Device (1 count)
Money Laundering (1 count)
Conspiracy (3 counts)

Mario Teixeira, age 52, of Fall River
Keeping a Place for Registering Bets (1 count)
Unlawful Operation of a Gaming Device (1 count)
Money Laundering (1 count)
Conspiracy (3 counts)

Televend Inc., in Swansea
Keeping a Place for Registering Bets (1 count)
Organizing and Promoting Gambling (1 count)
Unlawful Operation of a Gaming Device (1 count)
Money Laundering (1 count)
Conspiracy (3 counts)

These indictments are the result of an investigation by the AG’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police.

The AG’s Office alleges that these individuals distributed illegal gambling devices to dozens of establishments throughout Southeastern Massachusetts. The machines, which operated like casino slot machines, were in direct competition with Lottery products and for customers who opted to play the games. The AG’s Office also alleges that there were various aspects of Televend’s business that were almost entirely cash based, which allegedly enabled laundering of the illegal gambling proceeds.

In late May and early June 2018, a coordinated series of raids led by the State Police dismantled the criminal enterprise and removed the machines from the host establishments. In total, the AG’s office recovered several dozen machines and more than $140,000 in cash.

This case was investigated by the AG’s Office after the Massachusetts Lottery, the Alcoholic Beverage and Control Commission, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and various law enforcement agencies received complaints about the illegal gambling scheme.

The defendants will be arraigned on the charges in Bristol Superior Court at a later date.