Flint illegal gambling case results in two pleas, sent to trial for third defendant

Two defendants facing felonies related to illegal gambling pleaded guilty in a Flint courtroom while the third defendant will go to trial following a preliminary hearing, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Tuesday.

Bradford Barksdale, Alvin Crossnoe, and Adam Crossnoe were first charged in October 2018.

The three men operated West Point Arcade in Flint. Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) regulation officers discovered alleged gambling activities without a casino license and forwarded the matter to the Department in 2018 for charges. 

The preliminary exam first began in 2019 but delays were compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last Friday before Judge David Guinn, the Crossnoes pleaded guilty in their respective cases. 

Adam Crossnoe pleaded to one count of gambling violations-misdemeanor and was immediately sentenced to two years probation.

Alvin Crossnoe pleaded to one count of attempted gambling violations, a five-year felony. He is set for sentencing Dec. 3 in Genesee County Circuit Court. 

Barksdale proceeded with the preliminary exam. Monday afternoon, Judge Guinn found enough probable cause to send the charges against him to Circuit Court for trial.

Barksdale faces the following:

• One count of gambling activities-felony, a 10-year felony.

• One count of using a computer to commit a crime, a 10-year felony.

• One count of possession of a short-barreled shot gun, a five-year felony. 

“My office remains committed to upholding business rules and regulations, and that includes our state’s gambling laws,” Nessel said. “We will continue to coordinate with the Michigan Gaming Control Board in this case.”

“Illegal gambling operations can lead to other serious crimes,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said. “We urge Michigan citizens to report suspected illegal gambling to local authorities or to our agency at 1-888-314-2682.”

Next courts dates have not yet been set for Barksdale.