Michigan Illegal Gambling Case Against Ex-Police Chief Goes To Trial

Posted on: October 13, 2021, 07:03h. 

Last updated on: October 13, 2021, 01:14h.

Ed Silverstein Read More

Expertise: Crime, Legal, Tribal Gaming.

Two men arrested for allegedly operating West Point Arcade in Flint, Mich. have pleaded guilty to illegal gambling charges. A third man, the city’s former police chief, is heading to trial for his charges.

Ex-Police Chief Bradford Barksdale has opted for a trial in local court. During a court appearance on Monday, Genesee County Circuit Court Judge David Guinn found probable cause for the criminal case against the former chief to go to trial.

Barksdale is charged with gambling activities-felony, using a computer to commit a crime, and possession of a short-barreled shotgun. If found guilty on each of three Michigan charges, Barksdale could face up to 25 years in prison, according to a statement from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Barksdale frequently played poker at the Palace Poker Room in Burton, according to WJRT, a local TV station. The two other defendants in the Flint case owned this venue.

Barksdale allegedly shot and killed a masked intruder who was trying to rob the gaming facility in 2009, according to WJRT. He resigned or retired as Flint’s top cop in 2004, MLive, a regional news site, reported.

Co-Defendant Avoids Prison

A second defendant in the Flint case, Adam Crossnoe, pleaded guilty on Friday to gambling violations. Guinn sentenced him to two years of probation. That means the defendant will not go to prison unless he violates the terms of his probation.

A third defendant, Alvin Crossnoe, pleaded guilty to gambling violations. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 3. It is unclear if these two defendants are related.

The West Point Arcade was first inspected by Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) officers in 2017, which led to gambling-related charges, Nessel said.

Gift Cards Payouts

An unnamed MGCB officer previously testified the Flint business was operating as a video gambling parlor, according to MLive. She inspected the operation more than 10 times during 2017.

In a recent statement, Michigan Gaming Control stated that they remain committed to upholding state gaming rules and regulations.