2 face federal charges related to illegal gambling operations in Springfield & Joplin

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – Two men face federal charges months after raids at Springfield gambling businesses.

Rahulkumar Patel and Preston Bustillo are both charged with interstate travel in aid of racketeering. A criminal complaint accuses the men of traveling from Georgia to southwest Missouri to operate illegal gambling operations. This fall, they were arrested after raids on businesses in Joplin, Mo.

In March, Springfield police assisted ICE and Homeland Security agents in searching several locations around Springfield. In an interview with investigators after the Joplin raids, Bustillo stated he had traveled to Springfield in March to remove gambling machines.

At two businesses in Springfield, Big Win Arcade and Spin Hitters along south Glenstone, federal investigators say machines that operated like traditional slots would print tickets for a smaller amount than the actual winnings.

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