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Illegal Gambling Investigation Nets Two Arrests in Smyrna

May 10, 2017 at 01:17 pm by Bryan Barrett


The Smyrna Police Department and the Rutherford County EMS SORT team arrest two men after a lengthy investigation into illegal gambling.

Sgt. Bobby Gibson tells NewsRadio WGNS Russell Hairr and George Barton were arrested Tuesday. Officers seized over $18,000 in currency, guns, a small amount of narcotics and gambling paraphernalia.

The duo is accused of operating a casino-style gambling operation. Both Hairr and Barton were charged with aggravated promotion of gambling and possession of gambling devices.

39-year old George Barton was booked at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center on two charges of aggravated promotion of gambling (bond $15,000 each) and one count of possession of gambling devices (bond $2,000). His total bond is $32,000.

Russell Hairr, also age 39, received two charges of aggravated promotion of gambling (bond $10,000 each), and one count of possession of gambling devices (bond $2,000). His total bond is $21,000.

Gibson says the investigation is on-going and other charges are still pending.

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