Flint illegal gambling case results in plea for third defendant

Former Flint Police Chief William Bradford Barksdale pled no contest to charges related to illegal gambling, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) announced Thursday.

On February 8, Barksdale pled no contest to:

• One count of gambling violations, a five-year felony.
• One count of reckless use of a firearm, a 90-day misdemeanor.  

More than 80 firearms were discovered during the execution of a search warrant, eight of which were determined to be sawed-off shotguns.

Barksdale, along with his co-defendants, Alvin Crossnoe and Adam Crossnoe, were first charged in October 2018. Together the three men operated West Point Arcade located in Flint. The Crossnoes pled guilty in their respective cases in 2021.  

“My office remains committed to upholding gaming rules and regulations,” Nessel said. “We will continue to coordinate with the Michigan Gaming Control Board on this case?and others to ensure our state’s gambling laws are strictly enforced.”  

“The Michigan Gaming Control Board believes it’s important to eliminate illegal gaming operations because they don’t offer the protections legal, regulated gambling provides Michigan citizens,” said Henry Williams, MGCB executive director. “Illegal gaming operations do not belong in our neighborhoods, where they bring unwanted crime and prey on senior citizens and other vulnerable people. We are pleased with the outcome of this investigation.”

Suspecting alleged gambling activities without a casino license, MGCB regulation officers visited West Point Arcade in 2017. The officers were able to play casino-style games on computer stations in the arcade. At the conclusion of the games, the officers were paid in generic gift cards. These activities fit the definition of gambling, which requires a license. After their investigation, the MGCB regulation officers forwarded the matter to the Department of Attorney General for charges.

Barksdale is set for sentencing April 14 in Genesee County Circuit Court.