For Immediate Release: August 11, 2025
On July 23, 2025, the Multijurisdictional Grand Jury for the City of Alexandria returned indictments against two defendants, Oscar Salinas, a 57year-old Arlington resident and Michelle Kim, a 53-year-old Maryland resident, charging them both with one count of possessing an illegal gambling device.
The charges arose following an illegal skill games investigation led by the Vice/Narcotics Section of the Alexandria Police Department. With regard to Mr. Salinas, investigation revealed that several illegal skill game devices were being operated inside of a business he owned and operated in the 3800 block of Mt. Vernon Avenue. With regard to Ms. Kim, investigation revealed that several illegal skill game devices were being operated inside of a business she owned and operated in the 200 block of S. Van Dorn Street. Both defendants had previously received warning letters from the Alexandria Police Department warning them that the devices being operated were illegal.
Pursuant to the code of Virginia, possession of an illegal skill game is a misdemeanor carrying a maximum penalty of 12 months in jail and/or a fine of not more than $2500.00. Both defendants were released to bail. The matters have been placed on the August 21, 2025, Circuit Court docket for the selection of a trial date.
All persons charged with a criminal offense are presumed to be innocent. The fact a person has been charged with an offense is not evidence of guilt and the Commonwealth bears the burden of proving each element of every charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt.
Rule 3.6 of the Virginia State Bar's Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys states, in pertinent part: "A lawyer participating in or associated with the… prosecution … of a criminal matter that may be tried to a jury shall not make or participate in making an extrajudicial statement… that the lawyer knows, or should know, will have a substantial likelihood of interfering with the fairness of a trial by jury." Therefore, the Commonwealth is prohibited from discussing the evidence, its trial strategy, or its work product until the trial of the matter is completed.