A sixth person has been charged in the federal sports betting case linked to former NBA player Jontay Porter. Porter, a former Toronto Raptors center, has already pleaded guilty in the criminal case and has been banned from the NBA for life. He admitted to withdrawing early from games under false pretenses to benefit those betting on him to underperform.
In a recent development, a court document revealed a text message allegedly sent by Porter detailing his plans to bench himself in a January 2024 game to allow for betting on his underperformance. The message instructed to 'hit unders for the big numbers' and outlined his strategy to feign injury during the game.
The latest arrest in the case involved Shane Hennen, who was apprehended at the Las Vegas airport while boarding a flight to Panama. Hennen faces charges of wire fraud conspiracy for his involvement in placing bets based on insider information about Porter's game plans.
Porter's text messages to co-conspirators provided updates on his feigned injuries during games, allowing them to place bets accordingly. Despite not being on the injured list, Porter strategically underperformed in games against the LA Clippers and the Sacramento Kings, resulting in significant financial gains for those involved in the scheme.
Porter confessed in court that he participated in the plot to settle his gambling debts. He is awaiting sentencing in May and could face up to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors estimate his sentence to be around 3 1/2 to four years behind bars.
With four other individuals already charged in the case, the investigation continues to uncover additional conspirators. The complaint against Hennen suggests the involvement of more individuals in the scheme, raising the possibility of further arrests in the future.
