St. Pete Beach Man Linked to Illegal Sports Gambling Operation

A St. Pete Beach man is under arrest after authorities say he was part of an illegal sports bookmaking business that took in more than $1 billion in illegal bets.

In all, 34 people and 23 entities were indicted as part of an investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Oklahoma, officials said Wednesday.

According to an indictment filed in district court last month, a 42-year-old Texas man named Bartice Alan King, aka “Luke” and “Cool,” conspired with others to run a phone and Internet gambling service, first from San Jose, Costa Rica, and then from Panama City, Panama.

The operation, known since 2003 as Legendz Sports, took wagers almost exclusively from American gamblers placing bets on sports. Legendz allegedly used bookies in the United States to take the bets and settle gambling debts and set up shell corporations and offshore accounts to transfer money.

Luis Robles, 48, aka "Big Lou," of St. Pete Beach, is among the 34 people alleged to have been employees and associates of Legendz Sports. Robles is accused of being a "runner" for the organization, picking up or delivering money on behalf of the operation on several occasions in Orlando.

One time, in 2008, Robles was directed to pick up $50,000 cash from another defendant at the Orlando International Airport, the indictment states. Another time, he allegedly delivered money to someone at a mall there.

The indictment seeks to forfeit at least $1 billion in assets that include real estate, bank accounts, domain names, a Sabreliner aircraft and other vehicles. 

If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison for racketeering, up to 20 years in prison for conspiring to commit money laundering, up to 10 years in prison for money laundering, and up to five years in prison for operating an illegal gambling business.

"These defendants allegedly participated in an illegal sports gambling business, lining their pockets with profits from over a billion dollars in illegal gambling proceeds," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Raman in a media release.

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