http://www.mass.gov/ago/news-and-up...15/2015-11-13-illegal-gambling-operation.html
33 Individuals Indicted in Connection with Multimillion Dollar Sports Betting Operation
BOSTON – Thirty-three individuals have been indicted in connection with a multimillion dollar sports betting operation in the Boston and South Shore area, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.The individuals allegedly operated an extensive sports gambling enterprise that utilized an off-shore sports betting website to track bets.
The 122-count indictment by a Suffolk County Grand Jury is the result of an investigation by the AG’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police, with assistance from various federal, state, and local authorities. The investigation began in August 2014 when the Massachusetts State Police Special Service Section’s Organized Crime Unit developed information about a betting operation based out of East Boston and South Boston and operating throughout Massachusetts and referred the matter to the AG’s Gaming Enforcement Division.
“These charges are the culmination of a thorough, months-long joint investigation that uncovered an extensive illegal gambling operation in Massachusetts,” AG Healey said. “These defendants amassed a network of bettors in a multimillion dollar enterprise that utilized an off-shore betting website for their bookkeeping in an attempt to circumvent state gambling laws. We thank the Massachusetts State Police and all of the other federal, state, and local agencies that assisted us in dismantling this organized crime operation.”
“The State Police have a long tradition of investigating and enforcing illegal gaming, and are grateful to the Attorney General for her leadership in prosecuting this case,” said 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.”
The suspected leader of the criminal network, John Woodman, age 43, of Braintree, was indicted this week by a Statewide Grand Jury in connection with organizing this criminal network. Woodman maintained a network of more than 30 agents who took illegal bets from more than 700 bettors in Massachusetts. Those agents then provided bettors with accounts on an off-shore sports betting website called PerHead, which allowed the bettors and agents to register and track bets. Authorities allege that the agents would then directly collect debts or pay winnings to the bettors in person.
Frederick Stevenson is alleged to have been Woodman’s master agent, overseeing the accounts and managing most of the agents. Keefe Sheppeck was a sub-agent, who also had his own agents under him. Daniel Conway acted as the enforcer of the organization and would collect money from gamblers who fell behind on their debts, and would often pursue bettors who weren’t paying. Some bettors owed more than $100,000 in debts during the time of this investigation. Bettors who owed money were pursued aggressively at work and home, resulting in at least two of them moving out of state.
As a part of this investigation, Travis Prescott, the owner and operator of the website, PerHead, based out of Costa Rica, was also indicted, along with the company itself. The AG’s Office has charged the corporation with money laundering and organizing illegal gaming, among other charges.
Below is a list of all individuals who were indicted this week. All of the defendants are scheduled to be arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court on Nov. 30.
33 Individuals Indicted in Connection with Multimillion Dollar Sports Betting Operation
BOSTON – Thirty-three individuals have been indicted in connection with a multimillion dollar sports betting operation in the Boston and South Shore area, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.The individuals allegedly operated an extensive sports gambling enterprise that utilized an off-shore sports betting website to track bets.
The 122-count indictment by a Suffolk County Grand Jury is the result of an investigation by the AG’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police, with assistance from various federal, state, and local authorities. The investigation began in August 2014 when the Massachusetts State Police Special Service Section’s Organized Crime Unit developed information about a betting operation based out of East Boston and South Boston and operating throughout Massachusetts and referred the matter to the AG’s Gaming Enforcement Division.
“These charges are the culmination of a thorough, months-long joint investigation that uncovered an extensive illegal gambling operation in Massachusetts,” AG Healey said. “These defendants amassed a network of bettors in a multimillion dollar enterprise that utilized an off-shore betting website for their bookkeeping in an attempt to circumvent state gambling laws. We thank the Massachusetts State Police and all of the other federal, state, and local agencies that assisted us in dismantling this organized crime operation.”
“The State Police have a long tradition of investigating and enforcing illegal gaming, and are grateful to the Attorney General for her leadership in prosecuting this case,” said 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.”
The suspected leader of the criminal network, John Woodman, age 43, of Braintree, was indicted this week by a Statewide Grand Jury in connection with organizing this criminal network. Woodman maintained a network of more than 30 agents who took illegal bets from more than 700 bettors in Massachusetts. Those agents then provided bettors with accounts on an off-shore sports betting website called PerHead, which allowed the bettors and agents to register and track bets. Authorities allege that the agents would then directly collect debts or pay winnings to the bettors in person.
Frederick Stevenson is alleged to have been Woodman’s master agent, overseeing the accounts and managing most of the agents. Keefe Sheppeck was a sub-agent, who also had his own agents under him. Daniel Conway acted as the enforcer of the organization and would collect money from gamblers who fell behind on their debts, and would often pursue bettors who weren’t paying. Some bettors owed more than $100,000 in debts during the time of this investigation. Bettors who owed money were pursued aggressively at work and home, resulting in at least two of them moving out of state.
As a part of this investigation, Travis Prescott, the owner and operator of the website, PerHead, based out of Costa Rica, was also indicted, along with the company itself. The AG’s Office has charged the corporation with money laundering and organizing illegal gaming, among other charges.
Below is a list of all individuals who were indicted this week. All of the defendants are scheduled to be arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court on Nov. 30.