The former chief of police of Flint, William Bradford Barksdale, pled no contest to charges related to illegal gambling this week, according to a press release from the Michigan Department of Attorney General.
Barksdale pled no contest to one count of gambling violations, which is a felony and can lead to as much as a five-year sentence, and one count of reckless use of a firearm, which can be up to a 90-day misdemeanor.
“My office remains committed to upholding gaming rules and regulations,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in the release. “We will continue to coordinate with the Michigan Gaming Control Board on this case and others to ensure our state’s gambling laws are strictly enforced.”
Barksdale and co-defendants Alvin Crossnoe and Adam Crossnoe were first charged in 2018. The three men were alleged to operate West Point Arcade in Flint, where people could play casino games on computers and winnings were paid in gift cards. The activity was uncovered by Michigan Gaming Control Board regulation officers.
“The Michigan Gaming Control Board believes it’s important to eliminate illegal gaming operations because they don’t offer the protections legal, regulated gambling provides Michigan citizens,” Henry Williams, the MGCB executive director, said in the release. “Illegal gaming operations do not belong in our neighborhoods, where they bring unwanted crime and prey on senior citizens and other vulnerable people. We are pleased with the outcome of this investigation.”
More than 80 guns were also discovered at the arcade.
Barksdale is to be sentenced April 14 in Genesee County Circuit Court.
Photo: Shutterstock
