Illegal sports betting bust in Massachussetts

The Massachussetts Attorney General’s Office (MAGO) indicted thirty-three individuals in connection with a multi-million dollar sports betting operation in the Boston and South Shore Areas this week.

According to a MAGO statement, an investigation initiated in August 2014, involving multi-department authorities, resulted in the 122-count indictment by a Suffolk County Grand Jury.

John Woodman (43) is alleged to be the leader of the ring running a network of 30 agents who provided accounts on off-shore sports betting website PerHead to around 700 bettors. Agents would directly collect debts or pay winnings to the bettors in person.

Other key figures in the ring include Frederick Stevenson (45), a master agent who oversaw the accounts and managed most of the agents along with Keefe Sheppeck (39) a sub-agent.

Daniel Conway (47) acted as enforcer and debt collector of the organisation, he is accused of using heavy handed tactics on bettors who owed money – forcing at least two to relocate to a different State.

Travis Prescott, the owner and operator of the Costa Rica-based sports betting website was also indicted, along with the company itself for money laundering and facilitating illegal gambling, among other charges.

Further indictments comprise: Chris Cook, Jeffrey McArdle, Domenic Baldassari, Jr., Domenic Baldassari, III, Darren Birks, Joseph Campanella, Nicholas Clifford, Joseph Farina, Charles Feeley, James Fitzpatrick, John Lebbossiere, Daniel McCabe, John McSeveney, William Murphy, Keith O’Connell, Brian O’Connor, Edward Ordway, Darren Stratton, Joseph Tomasello, William Wilson, Sean Davidson, David Fabbri, John Favaloro, Jeremiah Hegarty, Michael Rogerson, Santos Santiago, Thu Tran and Jerome Baldner.

“The State Police have a long tradition of investigating and enforcing illegal gaming, and are grateful to the Attorney General [Maura Healey] for her leadership in prosecuting this case,” commented Colonel Richard D. McKeon, superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police. “We will continue to work together with prosecutors to hold accountable those who circumvent the state’s gambling laws.”

Investigators seized $450,000 in cash, three guns, and six vehicles during the course of the investigation.

Authorities allege that yearly profits of this operation exceeded $3 million and that from May 2014 to May 2015 about $6 million worth of bets were placed.

The case will resume before court on November 30, 2015.