Two more people have pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor count for their roles in the large-scale John L. Neal illegal gambling investigation.
Kyle E. Barber, 51, and Lola A. Whitehead, 62, both pleaded guilty Monday to one count of aiding in the commission of unlawful gambling, a Class B misdemeanor.
They were both given six-month suspended sentences and placed on formal probation for a year. All other charges were dropped.
Barber was originally charged with one count of corrupt business influence, a Class C felony; and two counts promoting professional gambling, three counts of professional gambling and two counts of money laundering, all Class D felonies.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed with the charges against Barber:
He told an undercover police officer in September 2006 he was buying Monty’s, 28 W. Main St., Chesterfield, from Linda White. Barber was also serving as the tavern’s manager. Tax records show the property belonged to Neal, however.
Twice during 2006, an undercover officer played a video gambling machine inside the bar. On both occasions, Barber cashed the officer out when the officer said they were done playing.
Whitehead was originally charged with one count of corrupt business influence, two counts promoting professional gambling, five counts of professional gambling and one count of money laundering.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed with the charges against her:
Whitehead was the operator and on-paper owner of the Getaway, 2332 Columbus Ave., Anderson, but the bar was really owned by Neal. Several times during the spring and summer of 2006, undercover officers played video gambling machines in the tavern and a bar employee cashed them out when they finished playing.
The cases against eight other defendants, including Neal, have not been resolved. Prosecutors allege that Neal was at the center of the purported organized gambling ring.
Neal, 70, of Yorktown, remains in minimum security at the Ashland, Ky., Federal Correctional Institution, according to information from the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The former Teamsters union leader is expected to be released in November.
Henry County Prosecutor Kit Crane, who is special prosecutor in the case, has previously said the criminal case against Neal, who faces more than 70 felony charges, won’t move forward until he’s released from federal custody.
Monday’s guilty plea doesn’t end Barber’s legal woes, however. In December 2004, prosecutors charged him with 17 felonies, including multiple counts of voter fraud, aiding in voter fraud and attempted obstruction of justice, all involving absentee ballots during the 2003 Anderson municipal election.
Barber allegedly directed several people to vote in a precinct where they didn’t live, told others how to vote and delivered and picked up absentee ballots. He also allegedly instructed some people to lie to investigators.
In November, his attorney filed a motion asking the charges to be dropped because prosecutors have taken so long to bring the case to trial. There’s not yet been a ruling on the motion.
Local News
10:50 p.m.: 2 more gambling cases resolved
Barber, Whitehead plead guilty to misdemeanor
- Local News
-
-
Anderson man dies at Monroe Reservoir; 3 others arrested
Memorial Day weekend took a tragic turn Saturday evening as an Anderson man visiting Monroe Reservoir died. Three other Anderson men were arrested later that day following the death of Matthew Hosier, 29.
-
Getting Together: Silence not golden for this library program
Certain rules govern almost all libraries: be quiet, don’t mar the pages and absolutely no food or drinks on the premises. But a small group of patrons wait until after hours, lock themselves in the back room of the Alexandria-Monroe Public Library, eat popcorn, drink soda and loudly scoff as they watch bad movies.
-
Veteran receiving Bronze Star 68 years late
An Army veteran will be awarded a Bronze Star on Memorial Day — 68 years after he was originally supposed to receive it.
-
Memorial Day activities set
For Memorial Day weekend, here’s a list of activities to participate in.
-
Arrest Log: May 28
Arrests made by Madison County law enforcement on Saturday, based on Madison County Jail records. Charges are recommended by arresting officers, but are not final until the Madison County prosecutor reviews the case and files official charges.
- Conservation officers arrest Anderson boater on alcohol charge
-
What's Where: May 28
Local activities are scheduled Monday.
-
Handicapped murder convict alleges prison discrimination
Since October 2006, Donald Lock has been confined to a wheel chair because of a degenerative bone disease. He has spent time at correctional facilities throughout the state, but it wasn’t until he was transferred to Pendleton earlier this year that he said he felt his disability was ignored.
-
Arrest log: May 27
The following arrest log appears in the Sunday edition of The Herald Bulletin.
-
Parents at Little League say coach took money
Parents of the North Anderson Little League filed a complaint with police against a former coach who they say stole fundraiser money.
- More Local News Headlines
-
