Fire Alert Led Authorities to an Illegal Gambling Room in a Church

First responders, notified of an electrical fire, rushed to a church in Houston. Instead of a fire, they found a large game room full of illegal gambling machines.

On Friday, November 23, four people were found stuck inside a backroom at Word of Life Church on 403 Turney Drive. The caller who reported the fire said he was locked in with an electronic door lock.

Harris County Sheriff’s deputies arrested some people in the building including someone with an outstanding warrant. Everyone was released on the scene with the exception of the person with the outstanding warrant.

Word of Life Church was searched with a warrant two weeks ago. Police did not see money exchanging hands in the gambling room.

A pastor of the church, Anthony Scott, took to Facebook Live and claims the gambling business has nothing to do with the church. He clarified split ownership of the church building. The church is one of two businesses in the same building.

The room where the gambling machines were found does not belong to the church. The pastor put in that he does not have access to the room where the gambling machines were found.

Word of Life Church was brought into existence in 2013 and has been at the 400 block on Turney Drive since 2016.

Facebook video depicts the pastor explaining the drywall, installed by the landlord, separating the gambling room from the church because the church cannot afford the entire property.

Pastor Scott takes viewers on a tour inside the building. He points out electronically locked doors he has not ever entered.

Scott contacted Harris County police, Fox News, and other major media outlets that have reported on the gambling business being part of Word of Life Church.

            Word of Life Church released the following statement to Houston Chronicle: “Our Church serves as not only a House of Worship but a resource center to our Community. We were deeply saddened by the way our Ministry was recently portrayed in the media. Without any investigation and/or questioning, our Church was attacked and accused of running a gambling business. The heinous and hurtful attack on our Church is unwarranted and unfounded. Yet, we remain unfazed and unshaken in the face of adversity, knowing the truth will prevail. For further clarity; view our last Facebook Live video that goes into great detail about the misleading nature of this story. Come see us anytime.”

There are no updates on who owns the alleged illegal gambling business. The investigation into the business’ legality continues.

Featured Image via Flickr/Dennis Yang