United States v. Phillip Wayne Bridges

INGRAHAM, Circuit Judge:

From mid-August 1972 until November 9, 1972, four of the appellants (Bridges, Brogdon, Butler and Gilbert) operated a gambling establishment located just outside Dothan, Alabama. Gambling, consisting primarily of poker playing and crapshooting, took place during this period of time on approximately two nights a week. The fifth appellant, Sammy K. Register, became involved no earlier than October 24, 1972. All five were arrested on November 9, 1972, and were subsequently convicted in a trial to the court of violating 18 U.S.C. § 1955(a). 1 On appeal the issue is whether…