Named participants
Former college All-American and CBA scoring leader Antonio Blakeney is among the most prominent figures identified. While listed in the indictment, Blakeney is not charged in this particular case; prosecutors indicated he is “charged elsewhere.” Investigators allege that two co-defendants, Marves Fairley and Shane Hennen, first bribed Blakeney to underperform in CBA competition and later enlisted him to recruit additional players.
Fairley and Hennen also face counts in a separate illegal gambling matter tied to National Basketball Association contests. In the newly unsealed filing, they are portrayed as primary fixers responsible for gathering inside information, arranging payments and coordinating bets.
Two other athletes, Cedquavious Hunter and Dequavion Short of New Orleans, were disciplined by the NCAA in November 2025 for alleged game manipulation. Those administrative sanctions preceded Thursday’s criminal charges, which outline a broader pattern of misconduct involving at least 29 fixed matchups across two leagues.
Alleged method
Prosecutors describe a straightforward yet lucrative strategy. The fixers allegedly targeted underdog programs, reasoning that gamblers could profit by betting against those teams if key players ensured the margin of defeat exceeded the point spread. In some instances, athletes were instructed to keep score differentials within a specific range only for the first half, allowing conspirators to place both halftime and full-game wagers.
Bribes reportedly exceeded compensation most players could earn legitimately through name, image and likeness (NIL) marketing deals. Payments were often routed through intermediaries or delivered in cash to limit traceability, the indictment says. The government contends that after bets were placed, defendants quickly cashed out winnings and dispersed proceeds through electronic transfers, prepaid cards and cryptocurrency platforms.
The document lists 29 manipulated games but does not publicly identify each matchup. Federal agents obtained betting records, phone data and bank transactions that allegedly connect individual wagers to the accused fixers. Investigators claim the defendants staked “significant sums” at multiple sportsbooks, reaping six-figure gains by exploiting inside knowledge that certain players would underperform.
Impact on sportsbooks and bettors
The filing characterizes sportsbooks and ordinary gamblers as the primary victims. By concealing the scheme, the defendants purportedly deprived operators of accurate risk information and induced payouts on results that no longer reflected fair competition. Regulators note that platforms employ monitoring technology to detect irregular betting but may overlook discrepancies when player performance appears plausible.
The case underscores widening law-enforcement scrutiny of game integrity in an era of expanding legal sports gambling. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, investigative priorities include coordinated efforts with state gaming commissions and collegiate athletic bodies to deter point-shaving and spot-fixing.
Next steps
Each defendant faces counts of wire fraud, conspiracy and related offenses. Convictions could carry significant prison terms and financial penalties. Arraignments are scheduled in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania over the coming weeks. Separately, the NCAA has opened additional inquiries into programs linked to the indictment, while the CBA is reviewing potential disciplinary measures for players and teams under its jurisdiction.
Officials did not estimate the total amount wagered or netted, but the indictment alleges that individual bets regularly reached five figures. Prosecutors also indicated that further arrests are possible as the investigation continues into associated gambling activity and money-movement channels.
Crédito da imagem: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
