A "pillar of the community" from Kenly, North Carolina, who was sentenced earlier this month to a seven-year prison sentence and forfeiture of $5 million for managing illegal video poker activities, is getting a little help from political and community leaders, attempting to get David "Ricky" Godwin's sentence decreased.
Godwin was sentenced for activities involved in running an illegal video poker ring between 1998 and 2002, one of the largest in the state. In addition to Godwin's prison sentence and fine, 326 video gaming machines owned by Godwin and his son David "Ricky" Godwin Jr., 34, who was also involved in running the family video poker empire, were also ordered to be confiscated and destroyed.
Although video poker is essentially legal in North Carolina, it is severely restricted. Machines may not award actual cash prizes, and even merchandise prizes are limited to $10 in value. In addition to state laws, prosecutors on the case said that Godwin also violated federal laws prohibiting managing illegal gambling ventures, as well as laundering profits in an effort to conceal the fact that they were earned illegally. Both Godwin Sr. and Jr. acknowledged making efforts to conceal $5.3 million in illicit profits.
Political and community leaders from Johnston County appealed to U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle, urging him to take into account the contributions Godwin had made to the community. Good deeds cited included supporting a family who had lost its home in a fire, donations toward church expansion, land offered to the fire department, and supplies given for youth sports teams. Reportedly the effort to reduce Godwin's sentence made little impression on authorities.
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