GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENT CHARGING SANDY MAN WITH OPERATING ILLEGAL GAMBLING BUSINESS, MONEY LAUNDERING

SALT LAKE CITY - A federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment Thursday evening charging Michael Lee Johnson, age 61, of Sandy with operating an illegal gambling business and money laundering in connection with a business he was involved with in Salt Lake City between April 2003 and June 21, 2006.

The indictment alleges Johnson operated an illegal poker room and made a series of financial transactions involving money derived from the unlawful activity. The indictment includes a notice of intent to seek the forfeiture of $400,000 - the value of currency obtained by the defendant in connection with the crimes charged.

The gambling establishment, located in rental property at 1498 South Major Street, was shut down by the Salt Lake City Police Department in June 2006. Agents and officers from the Salt Lake City Police Department, the IRS, and the FBI are involved in the federal investigation and prosecution of Johnson.

A summons will be issued for Johnson to appear for an arraignment in federal court. He faces up to five years in prison on the gambling charge and up to 10 years for each count of money laundering. Defendants charged in indictments are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in court.