State alcohol and gambling enforcement agents coordinated the 14-month investigation with 20-plus local agencies

ST. PAUL — Eight men suspected of stealing $197,694 in charitable gambling funds earmarked for youth sports programs, veterans’ organizations and other community activities are facing felony charges following an investigation coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement (AGE) division. The suspects primarily targeted pull tab charitable gambling funds from bars and restaurants in the Twin Cities Metro Area and greater Minnesota.

The racketeering charges filed April 18 in Hennepin County District Court cover 44 felony second-degree and attempted second-degree burglaries and thefts. View the criminal complaints and suspect information online.

AGE investigation coordination

AGE agents began coordinating the investigation in August 2023 after seeing a pattern of burglaries that targeted pull tab charitable funds. They worked with numerous law enforcement agencies across multiple jurisdictions.

AGE is a law enforcement agency that oversees the regulation of alcoholic beverages and gambling throughout Minnesota. Among its responsibilities, the division’s special agents conduct criminal investigations involving legalized charitable gambling such as pull tabs, bingo and raffles. Money raised through charitable gaming supports valuable programs and activities in local communities.

“When you’re paying to open up a pull tab, you don’t want your money ending up in criminal hands,” said AGE Director Carla Cincotta. ““These alleged criminals weren’t just stealing money — they were stealing from kids, from families, from veterans and from programs that build stronger communities. Thanks to the solid investigative work of our agency and law enforcement partners, we stopped this group in their tracks.”

Criminal operation activities

The 14-month investigation discovered that Arron Scott King Sr., 50, of St. Paul led the co-defendants and others in the racketeering scheme based out of his home. The suspects would break into safes that contained cash from pull tab sales meant to fund charitable activities. The criminal activity occurred between March 6, 2023, and Feb. 22, 2024.

Investigators learned that King communicated the burglary targets to his accomplices. The suspects would then case or obtain information on the target businesses. They used tools such as pry bars and sledgehammers to break into buildings and access pull tab booths and safes.

The stolen funds were for charitable activities including the:

• American Legion organizations in communities such as Howard Lake and Stillwater
• Champlin-Dayton Athletic Association
• Eastview Hockey Association
• Elk River Lions Club
• Hopkins Raspberry Association
• Irish Football Boosters
• Jefferson Athletic Foundation
• Monticello Youth Hockey Program
• Rogers Youth Hockey Association
• Roseville Youth Hockey Association
• Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4210 Forest Lake

Law enforcement partners

More than 20 agencies collaborated with AGE as part of the investigation. Investigative efforts to bring about the charges included reviewing evidence from individual burglaries, executing search warrants on vehicles, electronics, social media and phone company records, and interviews with suspects or associates.

About the Minnesota Department of Public Safety

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s more than 2,100 employees operate programs in the areas of law enforcement, crime victim assistance, traffic safety, alcohol and gambling, emergency communications, fire safety, pipeline safety, driver licensing, vehicle registration and emergency management. DPS activity is anchored by three core principles: education, enforcement and prevention.

About the Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement (AGE) division monitors the alcohol industry, issues both alcohol and gambling licenses, and approves regulatory practices. It provides technical and field assistance to businesses and local units of government. It conducts background investigations and criminal investigations relating to alcohol and lawful gambling, the Minnesota Lottery, pari-mutuel horse racetracks and card rooms, and Tribal reservation gambling.