The Attorney General’s Office arrested five people in two separate cases for allegedly hosting illegal gaming operations.

Attorney General Jim Hood said 81-year-old Van Hester, his wife 71-year-old Mary Hester and their son, 43-year-old Eddie Hester, all of Lexington, are charged with operating a gaming device without a license and possession of a gaming device without a license. Hood said the illegal gaming took place inside The Village Restaurant in Holmes County. The restaurant is owned by the Hesters.

In the second arrest, Hood said 67-year-old Charles Branch and his wife, 62-year-old Carolyn Branch, of Morgan City are charged with operating a gaming device without a license and possession of a gaming device without a license.

The couple owns Morgan City Grocery.