HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-7645
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
2410 SOUTH MARKET STREET 09- CIVIL TERM
MECHANICSBURG, UPPER ALLEN
TOWNSHIP, CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA, DESCRIBED WITH
PARTICULARITY AT DEED BOOK
PAGE 0032K-00148 RECORDER OF
DEEDS, CUMBERLAND COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA, PARCEL NUMBER
42-29-2454-106D, PROPERTY OF
JEFF L. WILHELM CP-21-MD-664-2009
PRAECIPE TO INDEX LIS PENDENS
TO THE PROTHONOTARY:
Kindly index Lis Pendens in the above-captioned matter
against Jeffrey L. Wilhelm, 2410 South Market Street,
Mechanicsburg, Upper Allen Township, Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania, as more particularly described in the attached
Notice of Lis Pendens.
Date: November 5, 2009
Matthew P. Smith
Senior Assistant District Attorney
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
V.
2410 SOUTH MARKET STREET
MECHANICSBURG, UPPER ALLEN
TOWNSHIP, CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA, DESCRIBED WITH
PARTICULARITY AT DEED BOOK
PAGE 0032K-00148 RECORDER OF
DEEDS, CUMBERLAND COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA, PARCEL NUMBER
42-29-2454-106D, PROPERTY OF
JEFF L. WILHELM
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
09- CIVIL TERM
CP-21-MD-664-2009
NOTICE OF LIS PENDENS - PARCEL 42-29-2454-106D
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an action has been commenced and
is now pending in the Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas, at
CP-21-MD-664-2009, on the Commonwealth's Petition for Forfeiture
against the real property under the name of Jeff L. Wilhelm, at
2410 South Market Street, Mechanicsburg, Upper Allen Township,
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Parcel 42-29-2454-106D. A copy
of said Petition is attached hereto and marked as Exhibit "A".
The purpose of said action is to preserve the availability of the
real property to satisfy an anticipated forfeiture order in a
criminal case. The real property is more particularly described
as follows:
ALL THAT CERTAIN tract or Parcel of land and premises,
situate, lying and being in the Township of Upper Allen in the
County of Cumberland and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, more
particularly described as follows:
BEGINNING at a point in the center of South Market Street
(Pa. Route No. 114) at the dividing line between Lots Nos. 3 and
4 as shown on the hereinafter mentioned plan of lots, said point
being at a distance of 15.01 feet measured along said dividing
line on a bearing of North 65 degrees 54 minutes 15 seconds East
from a monument on the western legal right-of-way of said South
Market Street; thence along said dividing line between Lots Nos.
3 and 4, South 65 degrees 54 minutes 15 seconds West, a distance
of 340 feet to a point at a line of remaining lands of Hollinger
Meat Products, Inc. (Lot No. 1); thence along said lands of
Hollinger Meat Products, Inc. (Lot No. 1), South 22 degrees 32
minutes East, a distance of 149.52 feet to a point at the
dividing line between Lots Nos. 3 and 2 as shown on said plan of
lots; thence along said dividing line between Lots Nos. 3 and 2,
the following 5 course distances; (1) North 64 degrees 58 minutes
45 seconds East, a distance 119.08 feet (being also the
centerline of a 20 feet wide private right-of-way); (2) North 25
degrees 01 minute 15 seconds West, a distance of 34 feet (being
also the centerline of the 20 feet wide private right-of-way
mentioned above); and (3) North 64 degrees 21 minutes 15 seconds
East, a distance of 30.16 feet (being also tKe center-line of the
20 feet wide private right-of-way mentioned above); (4) North 24
degrees 13 minutes West, a distance of 82.73 feet to a point; and
(5) North 65 degrees 54 minutes 15 seconds East, a distance of
194.77 feet to a point in the center of South Market Street
aforesaid; thence along the centerline of said South Market
Street, North 22 degrees 32 minutes West, a distance of 30.01
feet to a point in the same at the dividing line between Lots
Nos. 3 and 4, the point and place of BEGINNING.
All inquiries should be directed to the undersigned.
Date: November 5, 2009
Matt 'hew P. Smith
Senior Assistant District Attorney
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
2410 SOUTH MARKET STREET
MECHANICSBURG, UPPER ALLEN
TOWNSHIP, CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA, DESCRIBED WITH
PARTICULARITY AT DEED BOOK
PAGE 0032K-00148 RECORDER OF
DEEDS, CUMBERLAND COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA, PARCEL NUMBER
42-29-2454-106D, PROPERTY OF
JEFF L. WILHELM
CP-21-MD-664-2009
RULE TO SHOW CAUSE
AND NOW, this day of November, 2009, upon consideration
of the within Petition, a Rule is issued, to be served upon all
those known or believed to have been in possession of the above
property, to show cause, if any they have, why the property
should not be forfeited to the Commonwealth pursuant to law.
Rule shall be returnable in thirty (30) days from service hereof.
By the Court,
J.
Matthew P. Smith, Esquire
Senior Assistant District Attorney
Jeffrey L. Wilhelm, Respondent
2 Green Circle
Camp Hill, PA 17011
William Fulton, Esquire
Attorney for Respondent
106 Walnut Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
a?k k'+- 4
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
V.
2410 SOUTH MARKET STREET
MECHANICSBURG, UPPER ALLEN
TOWNSHIP, CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA, DESCRIBED WITH
PARTICULARITY AT DEED BOOK
PAGE 0032K-00148 RECORDER OF
DEEDS, CUMBERLAND COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA, PARCEL NUMBER
42-29-2454-106D, PROPERTY OF
JEFF L. WILHELM
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CP-21-MD-664-2009
NOTICE
TO THE CLAIMANT OF THE WITHIN DESCRIBED PROPERTY
You are required to file an answer to this petition setting
forth your title in, and right to possession of said property
within thirty (30) days from the service hereof, and you are also
notified that if you fail to file said answer a decree of
forfeiture and condemnation will be entered against said
property.
lxx/z<? 7
Matthe P. Smith
Senior Assistant District Attorney
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
2410 SOUTH MARKET STREET
MECHANICSBURG, UPPER ALLEN
TOWNSHIP, CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA, DESCRIBED WITH
PARTICULARITY AT DEED BOOK
PAGE 0032K-00148 RECORDER OF
DEEDS, CUMBERLAND COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA, PARCEL NUMBER
42-29-2454-106D, PROPERTY OF
JEFF L. WILHELM CP-21-MD-664-2009
PETITION FOR FORFEITURE
AND NOW, comes Matthew P. Smith, Senior Assistant District
Attorney of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, who respectfully
avers as follows:
1. On February 2, 2009, Jeffrey L. Wilhelm was arrested on
16 counts of criminal charges to include Corrupt Organizations,
Dealing in Proceeds of Unlawful Activities, Criminal Conspiracy,
and other charges related to an illegal gambling operation
conducted on his business premises, Jeff's Auto Body and Paint
Shop ("Jeff's Auto Body"), 2410 South Market Street,
Mechanicsburg, Upper Allen Township, Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania.
2. Specifically, on or about December 27, 2007, Lieutenant
Michael S. McLaughlin. of the Upper Allen Township Police
Department became aware of a potential illegal gambling operation
at Jeff's Auto Body when an individual tipped him off to the
potential illegal operation and stated "Texas Hold'em" (poker)
games were being held every Thursday through Sunday night, at
said Jeff's Auto Body.
3. Between December 27 and 30, 2007, Upper Allen Township
Police conducted intermittent surveillance on Jeff's Auto Body
and noted between 15 to 16 vehicles parked outside the business
after hours each night. The vehicles appeared to be in sound
mechanical shape and were not present earlier during business
hours. Some of the vehicles remained as early/late as 0400
hours, but were not present later in the morning. Detective
Sergeant Thomas Kauffman talked to Jeffrey L. Wilhelm in an
undercover capacity and determined that his business hours were
usually 0800 to 1600 hours, Monday through Friday, and sometimes
on Saturday, but not Sunday. Further, Jeff's Auto Body consisted
of a small two story building, the bottom floor of which
contained Jeffrey L. Wilhelm's body shop business. According to
Upper Allen Township records, the second story was not licensed
for occupation.
4. Police also conducted trash pulls of the premises and
found pizza boxes, paper towels and other refuse consistent with
large numbers of people consuming food, and handwritten notes
consistent with a gambling operation.
5. Between January 3 and 6, 2008, police again conducted
surveillance and noted multiple vehicles parked next to Jeff's
Auto Body which remained until early/late hours. Trash pulls
conducted on the same days also revealed a similar volume of
refuse as previously discovered along with more handwritten notes
consistent with a gambling operation.
6. Police continued to conduct intermittent surveillance,
to include authorized covert video surveillance inside the second
story of Jeff's Auto Body Shop, throughout the month of January
2008. Surveillance indicated that the second story of Jeff's
Auto Body Shop was a large open area containing several poker
tables; a couch; a large screen T.V.; a steel, bolted door; an
inexpensive closed circuit surveillance system used to observe
the outside of the entry way to the second story; and numerous
decks of cards and sets of poker chips. Posted notices inside
the room gave notice to players of various game times and types.
7. On the video surveillance, 15 to 20 individuals are
observed playing poker, with the dealers at each game taking a
"rake" for the "house." A "rake" is a set percentage of the
"pot" which is set aside during every hand for the house. The
"house" is the establishment, controller, or owner of the game.
8. The surveillance and subsequent investigation revealed
that two individuals, later identified as Roger C. VanSelow,
otherwise known as "Cumby", and Joseph Waiwada, otherwise known
as "Biscuit," controlled and organized the games within the
second story of Jeff's Auto Body. In other words, VanSelow and
Waiwada acted as the "house" and as such, derived the profits of
the "rakes."
9. Also observed on the video was Jeffrey L. Wilhelm
speaking to VanSelow while gambling is occurring.
10. At 2300 hours, January 24, 2008, a nighttime search
warrant was executed at the premises of Jeff's Auto Body while
the illegal gambling operation was in progress. Numerous
individuals were detained while a search was conducted. An
amount of U.S. currency, gambling paraphernalia, records, and
other miscellaneous items were seized. VanSelow and Waiwada were
present on the scene, while Wilhelm initially was not. However,
he arrived sometime later during the search.
11. At 2315 hours, Joseph Waiwada was interviewed by Lt.
McLaughlin and stated that he has been involved with the illegal
gambling operation with VanSelow since March 2007; he and
VanSelow paid Jeffrey L. Wilhelm one hundred dollars ($100.00) a
night to allow them to run the operation; he and VanSelow split
the profits from the operation fifty-fifty; and that he was aware
that what they were doing was illegal.
12. At 2353 hours, Roger C. VanSelow was interviewed by Lt.
McLaughlin and stated. that he purchased the "rights" to the game
for $10,000.00 off of a Croatian/Serb identified as "Soka" in
November 2007; he paid Jeffrey L. Wilhelm four hundred dollars
($400.00) a week (one hundred dollars ($100.00) a night); and he
and Waiwada split the profits from the operation fifty-fifty.
13. At 0100 hours, January 25, 2008, Jeffrey L. Wilhelm was
interviewed by Lt. McLaughlin and stated that he received one
hundred dollars ($100.00) a night from VanSelow and Waiwada to
allow gambling to occur on the premise; received additional money
from VanSelow to help cover the cost of electricity; made an
estimated eight thousand dollars ($8,000.00) in cash payments
from VanSelow and Waiwada; operated a small bookmaking business
of his own; and knew the activity conducted by VanSelow and
Waiwada was illegal.
14. Subsequent search warrants served on both Jeffrey L.
Wilhelm's personal and business bank accounts showed a number of
cash deposits, $7,846.25 into a joint banking account with wife
and $3,800.00 in his business account from December 15, 2006 to
January 30, 2008.
15. The Commonwealth believes and therefore avers that a
substantial portion of these cash deposits were derived from rent
from the illegal gambling operation and from Wilhelm's own
bookmaking operation.
16. A number of improvements to the second story were also
made in 2007, to include the installation of window air
conditioning units; carpet; and a bathroom constructed without a
permit. Further, a new heat pump still in the packaging was
seized during the execution of the search warrant. The
Commonwealth believes, and therefore, avers that these
improvements were made in order to facilitate the gambling
operation.
17. Jeff L. Wilhelm solely owns 2410 South Market Street,
Mechanicsburg, Upper Allen Township, Cumberland County, Parcel
42-29-2454-106D, recorded by deed on December 26, 1986, book
number 32, page 148, by the Cumberland County Recorder of Deeds.
18. The Commonwealth believes, and therefore, avers that
Jeffrey L. Wilhelm, either as an accomplice, used 2410 South
Market Street, Mechanicsburg, Upper Allen Township, Cumberland
County, Parcel 42-29-2454-106D, or knowingly allowed his property
to be used, for illegal gambling and profited from same.
Therefore, the property is subject to forfeiture under common law
as an instrument of a crime. See generally Comm. v. ONE 2001
Toyota Camry, 894 A.2d 207, (Pa. Commw. 2006).
19. The Commonwealth believes, and therefore, avers that
Jeffrey L. Wilhelm knowingly used the profits from the illegal
gambling operation to improve 2410 South Market Street, Upper
Allen Township, Cumberland County, Parcel 42-29-2454-106D, and/or
knowingly allowed Roger C. VanSelow and Joseph Waiwada to use the
profits of the illegal gambling enterprise to improve the
property of 2410 South Market Street, Upper Allen Township,
Cumberland County, Parcel 42-29-2454-106D. Jeffrey L. Wilhelm
and his property have derived benefit from the fruits of an
illegal enterprise. Therefore, the property is derivative
contraband and subject to forfeiture under common law.
WHEREFORE, the Commonwealth respectfully requests this
Honorable Court to enter an Order forfeiting said property to the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the District Attorney's
office, according to law, unless cause to the contrary be shown.
Respectfully submitted,
Matthew P. Smit
Senior Assistant District Attorney
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA )
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND )
SS..
Matthew P. Smith, Assistant District Attorney of Cumberland
County, Pennsylvania, being duly sworn according to law, deposes
and says that the facts set forth in the foregoing Petition are
true and correct to the best of his knowledge, information and
belief.
Matthew P. Smit
e--
Senior Assistant District Attorney
Sworn to and subscribed before me
this 0wJ y ' day of November, 2009.
Notary
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COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. .
2410 SOUTH MARKET STREET 09- -7 10q
? CIVIL TERM
MECHANICSBURG, UPPER ALLEN
TOWNSHIP, CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA, DESCRIBED WITH
PARTICULARITY AT DEED BOOK
PAGE 0032K-00148 RECORDER OF
DEEDS, CUMBERLAND COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA, PARCEL NUMBER
42-29-2454-106D, PROPERTY OF
JEFF L. WILHELM CP-21-MD-664-2009
NOTICE OF LIS PENDENS - PARCEL 42-29-2454-106D
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an action has been commenced and
is now pending in the Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas, at
CP-21-MD-664-2009, on the Commonwealth's Petition for Forfeiture
against the real property under the name of Jeff L. Wilhelm, at
2410 South Market Street, Mechanicsburg, Upper Allen Township,
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Parcel 42-29-2454-106D. A copy
of said Petition is attached hereto and marked as Exhibit "A".
The purpose of said action is to preserve the availability of the
real property to satisfy an anticipated forfeiture order in a
criminal case. The real property is more particularly described
as follows:
ALL THAT CERTAIN tract or Parcel of land and premises,
situate, lying and being in the Township of Upper Allen in the
County of Cumberland and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, more
particularly described as follows:
BEGINNING at a point in the center of South Market Street
(Pa. Route No. 114) at the dividing line between Lots Nos. 3 and
4 as shown on the hereinafter mentioned plan of lots, said point
being at a distance of 15.01 feet measured along said dividing
line on a bearing of North 65 degrees 54 minutes 15 seconds East
from a monument on the western legal right-of-way of said South
Market Street; thence along said dividing line between Lots Nos.
3 and 4, South 65 degrees 54 minutes 15 seconds West, a distance
of 340 feet to a point at a line of remaining lands of Hollinger
Meat Products, Inc. (Lot No. 1); thence along said lands of
Hollinger Meat Products, Inc. (Lot No. 1), South 22 degrees 32
minutes East, a distance of 149.52 feet to a point at the
dividing line between Lots Nos. 3 and 2 as shown on said plan of
lots; thence along said dividing line between Lots Nos. 3 and 2,
the following 5 course distances; (1) North 64 degrees 58 minutes
45 seconds East, a distance 119.08 feet (being also the
centerline of a 20 feet wide private right-of-way); (2) North 25
degrees 01 minute 15 seconds West, a distance of 34 feet (being
also the centerline of the 20 feet wide private right-of-way
mentioned above); and (3) North 64 degrees 21 minutes 15 seconds
East, a distance of 30.16 feet (being also the center-line of the
20 feet wide private right-of-way mentioned above); (4) North 24
degrees 13 minutes West, a distance of 82.73 feet to a point; and
(5) North 65 degrees 54 minutes 15 seconds East, a distance of
194.77 feet to a point in the center of South Market Street
aforesaid; thence along the centerline of said South Market
Street, North 22 degrees 32 minutes West, a distance of 30.01
feet to a point in the same at the dividing line between Lots
Nos. 3 and 4, the point and place of BEGINNING.
All inquiries should be directed to the undersigned.
Date: November 5, 2009 61?t
Matt ew P. Smith
Senior Assistant District Attorney
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
2410 SOUTH MARKET STREET
MECHANICSBURG, UPPER ALLEN
TOWNSHIP, CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA, DESCRIBED WITH
PARTICULARITY AT DEED BOOK
PAGE 0032K-00148 RECORDER OF
DEEDS, CUMBERLAND COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA, PARCEL NUMBER
42-29-2454-106D, PROPERTY OF
JEFF L. WILHELM
CP-21-MD-664-2009
RULE TO SHOW CAUSE
AND NOW, this day of November, 2009, upon consideration
of the within Petition, a Rule is issued, to be served upon all
those known or believed to have been in possession of the above
property, to show cause, if any they have, why the property
should not be forfeited to the Commonwealth pursuant to law.
Rule shall be returnable in thirty (30) days from service hereof.
By the Court,
J.
Matthew P. Smith, Esquire
Senior Assistant District Attorney
Jeffrey L. Wilhelm, Respondent
2 Green Circle
Camp Hill, PA 17011
William Fulton, Esquire
Attorney for Respondent
106 Walnut Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
ay-?j k 1-?- 4
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
V.
2410 SOUTH MARKET STREET
MECHANICSBURG, UPPER ALLEN
TOWNSHIP, CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA, DESCRIBED WITH
PARTICULARITY AT DEED BOOK
PAGE 0032K-00148 RECORDER OF
DEEDS, CUMBERLAND COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA, PARCEL NUMBER
42-29-2454-106D, PROPERTY OF
JEFF L. WILHELM
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CP-21-MD-664-2009
NOTICE
TO THE CLAIMANT OF THE WITHIN DESCRIBED PROPERTY
You are required to file an answer to this petition setting
forth your title in, and right to possession of said property
within thirty (30) days from the service hereof, and you are also
notified that if you fail to file said answer a decree of
forfeiture and condemnation will be entered against said
property.
lo/z/t
Matthe P. Smith
Senior Assistant District Attorney
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
V.
2410 SOUTH MARKET STREET
MECHANICSBURG, UPPER ALLEN
TOWNSHIP, CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA, DESCRIBED WITH
PARTICULARITY AT DEED BOOK
PAGE 0032K-00148 RECORDER OF
DEEDS, CUMBERLAND COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA, PARCEL NUMBER
42-29-2454-106D, PROPERTY OF
JEFF L. WILHELM
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CP-21-MD-664-2009
PETITION FOR FORFEITURE
AND NOW, comes Matthew P. Smith, Senior Assistant District
Attorney of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, who respectfully
avers as follows:
1. On February 2, 2009, Jeffrey L. Wilhelm was arrested on
16 counts of criminal charges to include Corrupt Organizations,
Dealing in Proceeds of Unlawful Activities, Criminal Conspiracy,
and other charges related to an illegal gambling operation
conducted on his business premises, Jeff's Auto Body and Paint
Shop ("Jeff's Auto Body"), 2410 South Market Street,
Mechanicsburg, Upper Allen Township, Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania.
2. Specifically, on or about December 27, 2007, Lieutenant
Michael S. McLaughlin of the Upper Allen Township Police
Department became aware of a potential illegal gambling operation
at Jeff's Auto Body when an individual tipped him off to the
potential illegal operation and stated "Texas Hold'em" (poker)
games were being held every Thursday through Sunday night, at
said Jeff's Auto Body.
3. Between December 27 and 30, 2007, Upper Allen Township
Police conducted intermittent surveillance on Jeff's Auto Body
and noted between 15 to 16 vehicles parked outside the business
after hours each night. The vehicles appeared to be in sound
mechanical shape and were not present earlier during business
hours. Some of the vehicles remained as early/late as 0400
hours, but were not present later in the morning. Detective
Sergeant Thomas Kauffman talked to Jeffrey L. Wilhelm in an
undercover capacity and determined that his business hours were
usually 0800 to 1600 hours, Monday through Friday, and sometimes
on Saturday, but not Sunday. Further, Jeff's Auto Body consisted
of a small two story building, the bottom floor of which
contained Jeffrey L. Wilhelm's body shop business. According to
Upper Allen Township records, the second story was not licensed
for occupation.
4. Police also conducted trash pulls of the premises and
found pizza boxes, paper towels and other refuse consistent with
large numbers of people consuming food, and handwritten notes
consistent with a gambling operation.
5. Between January 3 and 6, 2008, police again conducted
surveillance and noted multiple vehicles parked next to Jeff's
Auto Body which remained until early/late hours. Trash pulls
conducted on the same days also revealed a similar volume of
refuse as previously discovered along with more handwritten notes
consistent with a gambling operation.
6. Police continued to conduct intermittent surveillance,
to include authorized covert video surveillance inside the second
story of Jeff's Auto Body Shop, throughout the month of January
2008. Surveillance indicated that the second story of Jeff's
Auto Body Shop was a large open area containing several poker
tables; a couch; a large screen T.V.; a steel, bolted door; an
inexpensive closed circuit surveillance system used to observe
the outside of the entry way to the second story; and numerous
decks of cards and sets of poker chips. Posted notices inside
the room gave notice to players of various game times and types.
7. On the video surveillance, 15 to 20 individuals are
observed playing poker, with the dealers at each game taking a
"rake" for the "house." A "rake" is a set percentage of the
"pot" which is set aside during every hand for the house. The
"house" is the establishment, controller, or owner of the game.
8. The surveillance and subsequent investigation revealed
that two individuals, later identified as Roger C. VanSelow,
otherwise known as "Gumby", and Joseph Waiwada, otherwise known
as "Biscuit," controlled and organized the games within the
second story of Jeff's Auto Body. In other words, VanSelow and
Waiwada acted as the "house" and as such, derived the profits of
the "rakes."
9. Also observed on the video was Jeffrey L. Wilhelm
speaking to VanSelow while gambling is occurring.
10. At 2300 hours, January 24, 2008, a nighttime search
warrant was executed at the premises of Jeff's Auto Body while
the illegal gambling operation was in progress. Numerous
individuals were detained while a search was conducted. An
amount of U.S. currency, gambling paraphernalia, records, and
other miscellaneous items were seized. VanSelow and Waiwada were
present on the scene, while Wilhelm initially was not. However,
he arrived sometime later during the search.
11. At 2315 hours, Joseph Waiwada was interviewed by Lt.
McLaughlin and stated that he has been involved with the illegal
gambling operation with VanSelow since March 2007; he and
VanSelow paid Jeffrey L. Wilhelm one hundred dollars ($100.00) a
night to allow them to run the operation; he and VanSelow split
the profits from the operation fifty-fifty; and that he was aware
that what they were doing was illegal.
12. At 2353 hours, Roger C. VanSelow was interviewed by Lt.
McLaughlin and stated that he purchased the "rights" to the game
for $10,000.00 off of a Croatian/Serb identified as "Soka" in
November 2007; he paid Jeffrey L. Wilhelm four hundred dollars
($400.00) a week (one hundred dollars ($100.00) a night); and he
and Waiwada split the profits from the operation fifty-fifty.
13. At 0100 hours, January 25, 2008, Jeffrey L. Wilhelm was
interviewed by Lt. McLaughlin and stated that he received one
hundred dollars ($100.00) a night from VanSelow and Waiwada to
allow gambling to occur on the premise; received additional money
from VanSelow to help cover the cost of electricity; made an
estimated eight thousand dollars ($8,000.00) in cash payments
from VanSelow and Waiwada; operated a small bookmaking business
of his own; and knew the activity conducted by VanSelow and
Waiwada was illegal.
14. Subsequent search warrants served on both Jeffrey L.
Wilhelm's personal and business bank accounts showed a number of
cash deposits, $7,846.25 into a joint banking account with wife
and $3,800.00 in his business account from December 15, 2006 to
January 30, 2008.
15. The Commonwealth believes and therefore avers that a
substantial portion of these cash deposits were derived from rent
from the illegal gambling operation and from Wilhelm's own
bookmaking operation.
16. A number of improvements to the second story were also
made in 2007, to include the installation of window air
conditioning units; carpet; and a bathroom constructed without a
permit. Further, a new heat pump still in the packaging was
seized during the execution of the search warrant. The
Commonwealth believes, and therefore, avers that these
improvements were made in order to facilitate the gambling
operation.
17. Jeff L. Wilhelm solely owns 2410 South Market Street,
Mechanicsburg, Upper Allen Township, Cumberland County, Parcel
42-29-2454-106D, recorded by deed on December 26, 1986, book
number 32, page 148, by the Cumberland County Recorder of Deeds.
18. The Commonwealth believes, and therefore, avers that
Jeffrey L. Wilhelm, either as an accomplice, used 2410 South
Market Street, Mechanicsburg, Upper Allen Township, Cumberland
County, Parcel 42-29-2454-106D, or knowingly allowed his property
to be used, for illegal gambling and profited from same.
Therefore, the property is subject to forfeiture under common law
as an instrument of a crime. See generally Comm. v. ONE 2001
Toyota Camry, 894 A.2d 207, (Pa. Commw. 2006).
19. The Commonwealth believes, and therefore, avers that
Jeffrey L. Wilhelm knowingly used the profits from the illegal
gambling operation to improve 2410 South Market Street, Upper
Allen Township, Cumberland County, Parcel 42-29-2454-106D, and/or
knowingly allowed Roger C. VanSelow and Joseph Waiwada to use the
profits of the illegal gambling enterprise to improve the
property of 2410 South Market Street, Upper Allen Township,
Cumberland County, Parcel 42-29-2454-106D. Jeffrey L. Wilhelm
and his property have derived benefit from the fruits of an
illegal enterprise. Therefore, the property is derivative
contraband and subject to forfeiture under common law.
WHEREFORE, the Commonwealth respectfully requests this
Honorable Court to enter an order forfeiting said property to the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the District Attorney's
office, according to law, unless cause to the contrary be shown.
Respectfully submitted,
Matthew P. Smit
Senior Assistant District Attorney
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA )
SS..
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND )
Matthew P. Smith, Assistant District Attorney of Cumberland
County, Pennsylvania, being duly sworn according to law, deposes
and says that the facts set forth in the foregoing Petition are
true and correct to the best of his knowledge, information and
belief.
e---
Matthew P. Smit
Senior Assistant District Attorney
Sworn to and subscribed before me
this day of November, 2009.
Notary
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20,09 NOV -5 Fri I ? r 2
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