Florida Youth Coaches Charged With Gambling On Games

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http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/8568724/nine-south-florida-youth-football-coaches-face-gambling-charges
DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. -- Nine youth football coaches or associates in South Florida are facing felony charges in connection with a system of rampant, elaborate and high-dollar gambling on little league football.

The charges are the result of an almost 18-month investigation by the Broward Sheriff's Office into gambling on youth football, an investigation called "Operation ? Play" prompted by "Outside the Lines" reporting that exposed flagrant betting during games in the South Florida Youth Football League.

Those arrested Monday on felony bookmaking charges were: Brandon Bivins, Darren Brown, Vincent Gray, Brandon Lewis, Brad Parker, La Taurus Fort, Willie Tindal, Darron Bostic and Dave Small. One man remained at large Tuesday.

Six of the nine facing charges -- men who coached boys ages 5 to 15 -- are ex-convicts with a history of felony drug, assault and theft charges. If found guilty of felony bookmaking, essentially organized gambling, each could be facing up to five years in prison.


GAMBLING IN SOUTH FLORIDA


"Outside the Lines" first reported on gambling in South Florida youth football in May 2011. Original story » Watch »; League leaders promised changes after the report. Story »

Though the games featured little boys, the gamblers made big bets, said Det. Solomon Barnes, whose confidential informant, along with other undercover deputies, placed bets on youth football during the police investigation. Barnes said $20,000 was bet in a rivalry game between the Northwest Broward Raiders and the Fort Lauderdale Hurricanes a few weeks ago. And up to $100,000 would be bet on the youth leagues' final championship games of the season, he said.

"They take all innocence away from the game when they involve themselves in these criminal acts," the detective said. "And it's just mind-blowing what we discovered in this investigation."

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