Article published August 31, 2004
Deputies unraveled Allen fair's beer bash
Illegal sales suspected from trailer last year
LIMA, Ohio - Performing animals and motorcycle stunts weren't quite enough fun for some folks at last week's Allen County Fair. They needed beer and gambling to really make it rock, and authorities said one of the fair's major concessionaires was happy to help them.
But the good times stopped rolling late last week when James A. "Tony" Albanese, 55, of Canal Winchester, Ohio, and his employee, Mark Kelley, 41, of Canton, Ohio, were charged with illegal sales and keeping a place where beer and liquor are sold.
Both posted bond at arraignments Friday in Lima Municipal Court. Further court dates have not been set, a court clerk said yesterday.
Authorities last year learned of the trailer, which had a sign "Albanese Concessions, Canal Winchester, Ohio," but the trailer left before they could gather evidence, Mr. Begg said.
At the time, Capt. Steve Hoverman of the Allen County Sheriff's Office told Ohio Department of Public Safety agents Sarah Valasek and Susan Keller he had noticed several bottles of liquor in the trailer, according to the search warrant affidavit filed with the clerk of courts. He took the agents to the trailer, and as they watched it, a woman approached them.
The woman, according to the affidavit, told them, "You can buy alcohol in the trailer, and it was a fun time." The two told their new acquaintance that "they would catch up with her later that night."The agents returned later that week to finish their investigation. As they drove on to the fairgrounds, the affidavit said, the trailer pulled away, bound for the Montgomery County Fair.
But when the Allen County Fair began this year, law enforcement personnel were ready. Capt. Hoverman called Agent Valasek on Aug. 23 to say the trailer appeared to be back in business.
Other law enforcement personnel, including Deputies Dean McCombs and Brett Rider, kept an eye on the trailer. Around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, Deputy McCombs heard loud music and noise coming from the trailer, and saw three large trash bags filled with beer bottles and cans outside, the affidavit said.
Late Thursday night, Agent Valasek and Deputy Rider paid the trailer a visit, and got a warm welcome from Mr. Kelly, the affidavit said. He asked if he could help them, pointed out a machine where they could buy beer, and gave them change for it.
They saw another man buy beer, then noticed a slot machine labeled draw poker machine. Agent Valasek gave it a try, and eventually won $6.75. Shortly thereafter, several law enforcement officers made the bust.
Albanese has been a concessionaire at the fair for more than a decade and was operating several legitimate trailers during the fair, Mr. Begg said.
He didn't know how many people used the trailer, but "rumor is it was fairly popular," he said.
As for why the trailer didn't stand out, Mr. Begg said it was one of about 100 trailers parked in the campground. And besides, "It doesn't have a big sign on the side that says 'Bar and Gambling.'●"
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