Slot machines seized as evidence stolen during state investigation and found in Jefferson County bingo hall

Slot machines seized in Selma by the Attorney General’s Office as part of an investigation into illegal gambling found their way into the back room of a Jefferson County bingo hall – identified by stickers marking the machines as evidence.

A spokeswoman for Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall confirmed that the machines seized during raids on illegal gambling in Selma were found by agents from Marshall’s office at J’s Charity Bingo in Lipscomb on Monday evening.

The spokeswoman did not say what connection, if any, exists between J’s and Selma Charity Bingo, where the machines were seized, or whether there were any arrests or charges in connection with the evidence found at the Lipscomb bingo hall.

Last week, Marshall’s office announced it had obtained temporary restraining orders against Selma Charity Bingo and four other establishments in the city that the attorney general accuses of illegal gambling: Joker 777, Mini Bingo, Selma Bingo and Lucky Duck.

Under the injunctions, the facilities must cease all operations and no further financial transactions may be conducted in connection with the facility or its operators until further notice, unless further orders are issued by the Dallas County District Court.

Although all facilities were locked, authorities in Selma noticed that machines were being stolen from the Selma Charity Bingo.

It was unclear how the machines were tracked to Jefferson County.