Bally’s Dover Casino Sees Man Arrested on Drug and Human Trafficking Suspicions

On January 16, the Dover Police Department arrested Antwan Freeman, 44, of Dover, on drug and human trafficking charges at the Bally’s Dover Casino Resort in Delaware after responding to calls of a physical altercation.

Police Arrest Suspect at a Bally’s Dover Casino Hotel Room

Police said Freeman was taken into custody without incident, but further investigation revealed disturbing details of the suspects’ alleged crimes. According to the police, Freeman was trafficking a woman who was present in the room at the time of the arrest.

In addition to that, police said they had discovered 10.1 grams of crack cocaine, 3.63 grams of heroin/fentanyl, 57.6 grams of PCP, 19 doses of alprazolam, crack cocaine manufacturing equipment, and $465 in suspected drug proceeds.

He was charged with possession with intent to deliver various illegal substances, trafficking an individual, and human trafficking involving sexual servitude. The last charge applies when a person is forced, defrauded, or coerced into engaging in commercial sex acts.

Police said Freeman was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution after bail was set at $130,200, which was to be paid in cash.

Bally’s Dover Casino Resort, the scene of the arrest, is a hotel, casino, and racetrack complex located in Dover, Delaware. The property features a 0.625-mile harness racing track encircled by the 1-mile concrete Dover Motor Speedway, which hosts NASCAR racing events. Freeman was arrested in one of the 500 rooms of the venue. 

It additionally includes more than 2,700 slot machines, 40 table games, and the Rollins Center, which is an 18,000-square-foot multipurpose ballroom used for business conferences, conventions, etc. The complex is owned by Gaming and Leisure Properties and operated by Bally’s Corporation, while the motor racing circuit is owned by Speedway Motorsports. 

Speaking of Bally’s operations, the company recently revealed details about its Las Vegas project, which will be a large multi-use property featuring a casino, hotel, theater, shopping space, and dining area.

Delaware Requires Casinos to Raise Awareness About Human Trafficking

But back to Freeman’s case, the human trafficking charges might be the biggest problem he will face. He is potentially looking at decades in prison if convicted on all charges. In Delaware, human trafficking for commercial sex is classified as a Class C felony, or a Class B felony if the victim is a minor.

State law also mandates that Delaware’s three casinos, including Bally’s, display informational signs to raise awareness about human trafficking. According to the state’s law, Casinos are required to prominently display public awareness signs in all public restrooms, staff breakrooms, and lobbies, ensuring they are clearly visible to everyone to raise awareness on the issue.