Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office arrests 5 involved in illegal gambling

Posted by author March 4, 2025 Gambling

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SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office working jointly with the Florida Gaming Control Commission arrested Ciara Boles, 34, and Stivi Breshani, 29, both of Venice, Emily Gill, 26, of Sarasota, Ilir Iskali, 44, of Addison, IL, and Christine McCormack, 42, of Port Charlotte on charges related to illegal gambling.

The arrests are the result of an investigation that began in April 2024 into multiple illegal gambling establishments within Sarasota County. From the investigation, detectives obtained a search warrant for the business along with arrest warrants for the subjects involved in the operation.

“Our agency has received many complaints about these illegal establishments popping up in Sarasota County. This is the first of many steps towards holding them accountable and closing them down,“ said Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman.

Gill was present at the business on Feb. 26 and arrested. The SCSO Fugitive Apprehension Unit assisted with the location and arrests of Boles and McCormack on that same day.

On Feb. 28, an additional arrest warrant was obtained for Breshani, who was arrested and taken into custody without incident.

On March 3, Iskali turned himself in at the Sarasota County Correctional Facility.

All five of the defendants were charged with criminal enterprise. Additional charges among the five suspects included possession of a slot machine, maintaining a gambling establishment, and money laundering.

One other suspect, Llia Lulo, has not been taken into custody, but an arrest warrant has been obtained.

Almost 60 illegal slot machines were seized from the business.

If you have information regarding the whereabouts of Llia Lulo, please submit an anonymous tip to Crimestoppers at 941-366-8477 or SarasotaCrimestoppers.com.