At least 11 charged with ticket scalping

Deputies said they'd make charges against those selling Masters badges illegally

At least 11 people were charged with scalping Masters tickets Tuesday, a day after Richmond County sheriff's officers warned that they would no longer be issuing warnings for illegal ticket sales within 2,700 feet of Augusta National Golf Club.

According to police, Robert Shelton Allen, 31; Robert Stephen Barry, 60; Anthony Charles Butrico, 46; Phillip Jay Dobbins, 43; Gerald Warren Killion, 69; Leeman Carter Leclair, 30; Robert Charles Lorence, 67; Jimmy Lee Newmy, 31; James Merall Oglesby, 58; Ronald Raymond Russo, 49; and Danny Tran, 28, were all booked into the Richmond County Jail under the charge of scalping tickets within 2,700 feet of Augusta National.

Bond has been set at $500 for each.

On Monday, a four-day set of competition badges was selling for $3,414 atStubHub.com. Last year, the same package sold for $1,000 less.

Those caught selling tickets within the 2,700-foot zone surrounding Augusta National could be subject to a fine as high as $750, authorities said.

Sellers can't get any closer to Augusta National than Sherwood Drive to the west, Calhoun Expressway to the east and Ingleside Drive to the south.

"Normally on the first day we warn a lot of people," sheriff's Col. Gary Powell said Monday.

Besides the legal consequences, the club prohibits resale of tickets, and anyone caught selling them runs the risk of having them permanently revoked.

Reach Bianca Cain at (706) 823-3486 or bianca.cain@augustachronicle.com.