A Guam Police Department officer was investigated by federal authorities after being suspected of running an illegal gambling operation in 2020.
Last week in the U.S. District Court of Guam, records from 2020 that had been under seal were made public and revealed federal authorities had several investigations into illegal gambling operations on the island.
One of the records, most notably, was an application for a warrant to seize funds in a PayPal account owned by former A.B. Won Pat International Airport police officer Jericho Santos, who according to Post files, resigned after being implicated in the investigation.
The application for Santos’ warrant, however, states he was running a poker club through the poker application, “PokerBros” with Guam Police Department officer Jesse San Nicolas before a “disagreement caused them to part ways.”
While Santos went on to start his own club, another application for a warrant was filed intending to search San Nicolas’ Sinajana residence.
United States Secret Service Special Agent James Ingram explained the affidavit was based on the belief San Nicolas violated federal laws relating to illegal gambling and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO, provisions. Additionally, Ingram cited a Guam law that prohibits gambling on island with limited exceptions for in-person “social gambling,” which requires “all wagerers must be present at a private premises and there must be no charge made directly or indirectly as a condition of entering the premises or wagering upon the result of the game or contest.”
Ingram continues in the December 2022 warrant application to explain interviews with confidential informants revealed San Nicolas used PokerBros to conduct “illegal gambling activities on Guam (on) approximately February 2020.”
Another individual identified was Cristian Golveo, who was believed to have managed the club while San Nicolas was on deployment as a United States Air Force Reservist. However, each informant affirmed that San Nicolas was “solely responsible for the club’s creation” but Golveo and other GPD employees helped “manage (the) buy-in and cash-out processes.”
According to the application, each informant also stated San Nicolas, Golveo and association received a cut or portion of players’ buy-in for games, “which is how San Nicolas made money for running the club.”
“Corroborating interviews with sworn law enforcement officers and firefighters have confirmed this information. These individuals also provided information confirming San Nicolas and associates conducted cash/electronic buy-ins and payouts while on duty at GPD,” Ingram wrote.
At the time the application was filed, San Nicolas was a GPD officer and assigned to the SWAT unit. The other officers believed to be involved were identified by their initials, H.M., F.C., and T.L.
As far as the amount San Nicolas received, Ingram stated San Nicolas’ PayPal records showed from Feb. 20, 2020, through Nov. 17, 2020, a total of $141,497.91 was received by San Nicolas and $11,419.21 was sent through the account.
San Nicolas’ savings account with GPD also showed a balance of $13,859.42 and transactions were made from the account on PokerBros to continue the club’s operations.
“The sum of money exceeds San Nicolas’ earning capability with his role as a police officer with GPD. The government of Guam staffing pattern for GPD lists the annual salary for San Nicolas as $37,751.00. Also, GPD payroll is not conducted utilizing PayPal,” Ingram wrote.
Additionally, the application states that San Nicolas in a WhatsApp message on Oct. 15, 2020, advertised the club with the message, “Want to play some real poker with big cash! Opened up slots, DM Cristian Golveo!”
The application concluded by stating an interview with a previous player in San Nicolas’ club revealed the poker games were held at San Nicolas’ private residence in Sinajana.
Following the unsealing of the application, GPD spokesperson Officer Berlyn Savella acknowledged inquiries made by the media regarding the naming of San Nicolas and other officers and confirmed she would meet with Chief of Police Stephen Ignacio.
The Guam Daily Post was unable to confirm if San Nicolas remains employed at GPD.
U.S. District Court of Guam records do not indicate any arrests or charges were made in connection to the warrant.
Barnett
The oversight chair for GPD, Sen. Chris Barnett of the 37th Guam Legislature, told the Post that he sent the unsealed documents to Ignacio “for his review and consideration.”
Barnett further referred to “quite a few revelations about local law enforcement revealed in unsealed court documents lately.”
According to Post files, GPD K-9 handler Brian Awa in December 2023 was named in unsealed warrant applications related to a 2019 investigation for allegedly distributing methamphetamine. Awa has since been fired by GPD after an internal investigation was conducted.
“For integrity and accountability’s sake, the Guam Police Department and even the attorney general’s office should review these documents, engage with federal entities and determine what investigations or legal actions can be taken. Those in law enforcement know they are held to a higher standard. If we don’t ensure that standard is enforced and upheld by leadership, what’s the use?” Barnett added.