Father and son sentenced for illegal gambling operation in Genesee County

GENESEE COUNTY, Mich.— A father and son have been sentenced for operating an illegal gambling operation in Genesee County.

44-year-old Shaun M. Bellah Sr. and his son, 24-year-old Shaun M. Bellah II were sentenced on December 18.

Search warrants were executed at The State Road Spot, 723 South State Road in Davison, and The Bristol Spot, located at 1374 East Bristol Road in Burton on April 27, 2022. 100 gambling devices, $29,204 in suspected gambling profits, and 62 gift cards of varying denominations from The State Road Spot in Davidson and The Bristol Spot in Burton.

Each initially faced several felonies for conducting a criminal enterprise—including conspiracy to conduct a criminal enterprise, running a gambling operation without a license, and using computers to commit a crime—but reached a plea agreement during which they both pled guilty to one high court misdemeanor of maintaining a gambling house for gain (a 2-year misdemeanor). Additionally, Bellah Sr. pled guilty to one count of conducting a gambling operation without a license (a 10-year felony).

“This case underscores our unwavering commitment to maintaining the integrity of our state’s gaming industry,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said. “We will continue to work diligently with the Michigan Attorney General’s Office to identify and prosecute individuals who seek to circumvent our laws.”

The public can report alleged illegal gambling by contacting the MGCB at 1-888-314-2682 or sending a message to MIGamblingTip@michigan.gov.