SACRAMENTO— On December 28, 2017, a federal grand jury indicted four suspects from San Francisco and the East Bay Area, charging them with conducting an illegal gambling business throughout Northern California.

Indicted were Yaniv Gohar, 34, of Berkeley, Orel Gohar, 27, of San Francisco, Eran Buhbut, 32, of Oakland, and May Levy, 26, of Walnut Creek.

According to court documents, between September 2015 and November 2017, the defendants operated a business that involved installing and maintaining video slot machines at smoke shops and convenience stores in violation of California laws prohibiting such machines.

“This investigation by California Department of Justice Bureau of Gambling Control special agents and FBI agents has put a stop to illegal gaming that allegedly took place for more than two years,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “This type of illegal activity in businesses such as smoke shops and convenience stores can attract a criminal element and other illegal activity that degrade neighborhoods.”

If convicted, the defendants face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.