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The owner of a Salt Lake City Internet cafe who pleaded guilty to running an illegal gambling operation last year has been arrested again. William Homan turned himself in on Tuesday after a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Shortly after Homan's last arrest, investigators were tipped off that his business, the Mouse Pad Internet Cafe located at 749 E. 3300 South, once again was running an illegal gambling operation. Undercover investigators visited the business three different times. Each time they purchased a membership and a phone card that allowed them to play gambling games like "Powerbomb," "Multiplier" and "Sweepstakes."
Documents filed in 3rd District Court say investigators were allowed to purchase more time or credits, and that the winnings were paid out by the front desk.
This is the same operation that Homan was running in 2008, when he was exposed for gambling promotion and possession of gambling devices. At that time he entered a series of pleas in abeyance and promised to shut down the illegal operation.
Now Homan faces more serious charges, including a felony racketeering charge, one second-degree felony count of pattern of unlawful activity, three counts of misdemeanor gambling promotion, and four counts of misdemeanor possession of a gambling device.
Lt. Don Hutson of the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office said, "Clearly either he disregarded advice he may have received and disregarded when the judge told him to not engage in this type of activity, or he's receiving some bad advice."
On Jan. 13, the sheriff's office served a search warrant at the Mouse Pad. A total of 22 gaming stations were seized. On Jan. 28, a warrant was issued for Homan's arrest. On Tuesday he turned himself in.
E-mail: spark@ksl.com
