On Thursday evening, August 18, 2022, Suleika Adames was arrested and charged with conducting an illegal lottery and selling illegal lottery tickets. Her arrest came after a police officer was called to a bar by a [US] Virgin Islands Lottery Enforcement Officer who was conducting field surveillance to investigate illegal lottery sales. The individual told the responding officer that they had just purchased an illegal lottery ticket from Adames.

When police made contact with Adames, the officer witnessed her picking up receipts and placing them in her bag along with a cellphone. Investigations revealed that the Lottery Enforcement Officer observed Adames conducting an illegal lottery and selling tickets to several individuals at the establishment. She then sold an illegal ticket to the enforcement officer. Upon making contact with Adames, police seized several illegal receipts, the cellphone and an electronic receipt printer. She was subsequently advised of her rights, transported to the station and placed under arrest.

Following her arrest, bail was set at $5,500 which Adames was unable to post at the time. She appeared before the court on Friday and the judge permitted her release upon the signing of an unsecured bond in the value of the bail amount. The judge stated that Adames does not appear to be a danger. While she awaits trial, the defendant is prohibited from having any contact with potential witnesses in this matter.