illegal gambling operation associated with Jontay Porter leads to another detainment
A 39-year-old man, identified as S.H., was arrested at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sunday, according to a report by ESPN. The US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York revealed that S.H. is currently facing charges and is awaiting further legal proceedings.
S.H., a well-known bettor and gambler in Las Vegas, is suspected of being involved in an illegal betting scheme involving former Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter. Prosecutors have substantial evidence that S.H. has conducted or caused illicit financial transactions and fraudulent sports wagers totaling millions of dollars.
S.H.'s criminal background, which includes charges for distribution of drugs and aggravated assault, made him a flight risk, according to the US Attorney's Office. He was found to be in possession of nearly $10,000 and several cell phones at the time of his arrest. Remarkably, S.H. had previously purchased a one-way ticket to Colombia but was apprehended by law enforcement when attempting to board the plane.
Four people have already been detained in connection to the manipulation of games by Jontay Porter, and two of them have pleaded guilty. Another person suspected of participating in the illegal betting scheme was detained recently. The wagers made by these individuals were frozen by betting operators after being flagged as suspicious.
Jontay Porter, who was permanently banned from the NBA due to breaches of its gambling policies, faced an investigation by the league due to allegations about gambling and manipulation. In July, Porter pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud. His sentencing hearing, initially scheduled for mid-December, has been rescheduled for May 20, 2025.
As the investigation continues, more details regarding the man's involvement in illegal wagers totaling millions of dollars are yet to be released. It is unclear if S.H. was able to collect winnings on his wagers. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
