3 men plead guilty in South Carolina bookie case

Posted: 10.31.2012 at 12:02 PM Updated: 10.31.2012 at 2:05 PM

Three men accused of running a gambling ring in Columbia are expected to plead guilty. / MGN

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Three men have pleaded guilty to running a Columbia gambling ring connected to a double murder suspect.

Lanny Ray Gunter II, Harry B. Benenhaley and Ronald Dale Spence admitted Wednesday they ran a gambling operation since at least 2006, taking in thousands of dollars in any given day.

They face up to five years in prison when they're sentenced in January.

The three were charged as a result of an investigation of another alleged sports bookie. Authorities say Brett Parker needed money and shot his wife and another alleged bookie to make it look like the shooting was self-defense.

Federal prosecutors say Gunter loaned Parker $5,000 to start his own betting operation but say Parker owed 175,000 to Gunter when he was charged with murder.

Related Links

		Men expected to plead guilty in gambling ring tied to accused Ascot Estates killer
		Man suspected in double murder indicted
		Bond denied for accused Ascot Estates shooter

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