A retired Michigan police chief has not contested charges related to his alleged operation of an illegal gambling business. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
no trial
A retired Flint police chief pleaded no contest to gambling violations and firearms charges and now faces up to five years in prison for operating an illegal gambling scheme. William Bradford Barksdale filed his petition on Wednesday, according to an announcement from the Michigan Attorney General’s office.
The former police chief will be sentenced on April 14
Barksdale was charged with gambling violations, which can be a felony for five years, as well as a misdemeanor charge of reckless use of a firearm. The former police chief will be executed on April 14 in Genesee County Court.
illegal operation
The other 70-year-old accused is Adam Krosnow and his father, Alvin, who ran the West Point Arcade in Flint. They were initially charged in 2018. Adam Krosnow pleaded guilty in October 2021 to one count of gambling violations and received two years’ probation. Alvin Krosnow pleaded guilty to one count of attempted gambling violation.
It was suspected that illegal gambling was taking place on the premises
Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) regulatory officials suspected illegal gambling was occurring in the arcade. They visited the property several times in 2017 and were able to use the computer terminals to play casino-style games, with winnings paid out as generic gift cards. It showed classified footage of Adam Krosnow instructing an officer how to play the games.
This type of operation falls within the definition of gambling and the arcade did not have a license to offer these gambling services. Officials obtained a search warrant and found 80 firearms, eight of which were sawn-off shotguns.
Long term relationship
MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams commented: the caseStressing the importance of eliminating all forms of illegal gambling operations in the country. He said they “do not belong in our neighborhoods, bringing in unwanted crime and preying on the elderly and other vulnerable people. We are pleased with the outcome of this investigation.”
Barksdale retired as Flint’s chief of police in 2004. He appears to have had a long-term relationship with the Crosnows, being a regular at the Palace Poker Room, which they own. In 2009, Barksdale was in a poker room when he shot and killed a masked intruder who was allegedly trying to steal property. The former police chief has not been charged with any wrongdoing in that particular case.
