Triple Crown Sweepstakes Co-Owner Guilty

ST. CLOUD -- One of four owners of Triple Crown Sweepstakes has been convicted of running an illegal gambling operation.

A Stearns County jury found Steve Ehlen guilty on all eight counts against him late Friday. Ehlen was convicted on four gross misdemeanors and four misdemeanors relating to gambling crimes.

Triple Crown Sweepstakes was raided last August when state officials seized video terminals and other equipment.

Ehlen defended himself in the trial and claimed it was a sweepstakes, not illegal gambling.

The cases of three other defendants are still moving through the court system.

Triple Crown Sweepstakes has since re-opened their storefront in the Centennial Plaza but now sells internet time at individual work stations.

Calls to Ehlen have not been immediately returned.