A months-long investigation culminated in a dramatic arrest this week, as authorities shut down an alleged illegal gambling operation running through the popular social media platform, Facebook. The Kinston Police Department’s Violent Crime Action Team moved against 51-year-old Quarla Blackwell, taking her into custody at her North Carolina home on Tuesday without incident.
Blackwell now faces serious charges: four counts of money laundering and two counts of gambling. The police department emphasized that the investigation is far from over, hinting at the possibility of further charges being filed as detectives continue to unravel the details of the operation.
Remarkably, Blackwell herself documented the unfolding events. A video posted to her Facebook account showed police vehicles arriving at her residence, capturing the moment the investigation reached its peak. She later stated she spent two days in jail, questioning the legality of the games she participated in.
“As long as I’ve been playing on these fish tables now it’s a crime,” Blackwell wrote in a post, referring to the online games at the center of the controversy. These “fish table” games, resembling casino-style entertainment, involve players using virtual cannons to capture digital fish for points and prizes.
Law enforcement has remained tight-lipped regarding the video and Blackwell’s statements, reiterating that all charges are currently allegations. The case will now proceed through the legal system, where Blackwell is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
This isn’t Blackwell’s first encounter with legal challenges. A former candidate for Kinston’s city council, she’s also a known figure in the local community. Just months ago, in September, she was charged with perjury related to disclosures made during her campaign for an at-large city council seat.
The perjury charge stemmed from discrepancies in the reported restoration of her voting rights. Warrants allege Blackwell claimed her rights were restored in 2025, while police records indicated the actual restoration date was not until 2028.
Following the initial charges, Blackwell filed an election protest, alleging irregularities and requesting a new vote. However, the State Board of Elections thoroughly reviewed her claims during a recent meeting in Raleigh and ultimately denied her request, leaving the original election results to stand.
