People v. Wallace CA1/4

BACKGROUND

The Bureau of Gambling Control for the California Department of Justice (DOJ) received information regarding an illegal gambling

All further statutory references are to the Penal Code unless 1

otherwise indicated.

1 operation at 2408 Sacramento Street in Vallejo, California. Sources referred to the gambling establishment as “the Buy Zone.” On December 15, 2021, at about 9:00 a.m., DOJ agents executed a search warrant at the property. Inside the main building on the property, agents found evidence of gambling operations, as well as three females, including Erika Montero, the alleged manager of the operation, and Denise Helmeci. There was also an outbuilding on the property that was about 50 feet long and 20 feet wide. Agents knocked on the front of the outbuilding and announced they were executing a search warrant. About 45 seconds later, Wallace “stumbled out of a back bedroom area” of the outbuilding. Another person, Elijah Abeyta, came out as well. Upon entry, agents found no other people. The outbuilding appeared to be converted into a living dwelling, with a small living room area, an area that appeared designed as a bedroom, a bathroom, and a kitchenette. The…