The North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement agency recently arrested more than 25 people following a yearlong investigation into illegal gambling, weapons and drug activities at three locations in Robeson County. Those arrested claimed to be sovereign citizens of the Tuscarora Indian Nation Sovereignty Territory, led by Kendall Locklear. All are charged with operating, allowing to be operated and keep in possession of illegal slot machines; and gambling. Their cases will be heard in federal court.
The group openly operated, advertised and had signage around three illegal casinos in area warehouses. The operations were raided simultaneously by state, local and federal law enforcement, including Homeland Security. More than 200 illegal gaming machines, vehicles, currency, drugs and firearms were seized from the casinos which operated 24/7 and took in “thousands and thousands of dollars,” said ALE spokesperson Derwin Brayboy. He said unlicensed security personnel were stationed at each location and were heavily armed with weapons including assault rifles.
Robeson County Sheriff Kenneth Sealey said, “Most of the offenders arrested today were considered to be armed and dangerous and many have criminal records. People living in those towns were scared of the activities taking place around the casinos. At the end of the day, this operation is all about community betterment.”
State ALE Director Terrance Merriweather said, “Citizens living near the casinos complained of the illegal activity taking place and notified law enforcement. This group openly expressed beliefs that neither the laws of North Carolina nor the United States applied to them, putting law-abiding citizens in danger. We hope today’s arrests provide a safer community for them.”
The historic Tuscarora Nation was based in North Carolina before many citizens emigrated to present-day New York and Canada in the 1700s and 1800s. Many Tuscarora descendants remained in North Carolina. The tribe does not have federal or state recognition.
Under North Carolina law, most gambling is prohibited except that permitted under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. In accordance with that law, the state has a contract with the federally recognized Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation to operate casinos on Indian lands in Cherokee and Murphy.
