Mo Hejazi
Mo Hejazi, the owner of the Stevenson Inn and Restaurant and Mo’s Place, both in Masury, pleaded guilty July 9 to two counts of operating a gambling house. A third count was dismissed upon his stipulation that police had probable cause to arrest him.
Trumbull County Eastern District Court Judge Marty Nosich fined Hejazi $1,000 and costs, all of which Hejazi, 75, of Greenville, paid that day. Nosich told Hejazi that the plea deal was a good resolution to the case and that he should show his appreciation to his defense attorney, Kelly Newbrough.
The charges were a result of an investigation by the Ohio Investigative Unit, an arm of the Ohio Highway Patrol that enforces liquor laws. Based on a citizen complaint filed Oct. 11, police went to Mo’s Place, 1516 Standard Ave., six times, alleging that on Dec. 12 and Jan. 2 and 9 they saw three gambling machines that pay out cash. The machines and $1,060 cash were seized Jan. 9 upon execution of a search warrant.
Employee Madeline Porterfield, 48, of 5736 Merwin Chase Road, Brookfield, also was charged with gambling. She completed a six-month diversion from prosecution program.
