Etowah District Attorney drops Gambling charges against Gadsden woman

Etowah County District Attorney Jimmie Harp today dismissed charges of possession of a gambling device and promoting gambling against 51 year old Michelle Garbe of Gadsden.  Garbe had been arrested Friday by the Etowah County Sheriff’s Department after an agent with the Drug Enforcement Unit went in at Center Stage in Rainbow City and played a game that purported to be electronic bingo.  The District attorney said that It was very clear to him that the defendant and those involved in the operation staged this entire event forcing  Sheriff Entrekin to make an arrest.  Harp said that the 2 machines seized were the same machines inspected by Sheriff Entrekin in New Jersey and the same 2 machines that were examined by Gaming Laboratories International.   Harp said he was convinced that CBS Supply is attempting to use the criminal court system to get what they have been unable to obtain in the civil court system which is a permit from the Sheriff.  Harp said he will not have his office used as a mechanism to determine the legality of electronic bingo.  Sheriff Entrekin has expressed support for Harps decision.   Harp warned that should the path of confrontation be taken again, all of those involved should take notice of their exposure in a criminal enterprise.  Harp said this would include operators, employees, property owners, machine manufacturers, and any other entity that would conspire in this endeavor.