State and federal authorities announced today the shut down of the second-largest video poker operation in the state.

Authorites said that a father and son from Johnston County had admitted to operating machines that offered thousands of dollars in illegal payouts.
As part of their pleas, David "Ricky" Godwin and his son, David "Ricky" Godwin Jr. agreed to turn over $5.2 million in illegal proceeds and 326 machines that gave illegal payouts in convenience stores and other small businesses in Wake and Johnston counties.

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The Godwins pled guilty on Aug. 15, 2003, to operating an illegal gambling business. Godwin also pled guilty to trying to hide his illegal proceeds from the Internal Revenue Service.

Godwin, 57, of Kenly, faces up to 15 years in prison and $750,000 in fines. His son, 33, of Selma, faces up to five years in prison and $250,000. A sentencing date has not been set.

U.S. Attorney Frank Whitney would not explain why the Godwins' guilty pleas had not been made public until Wednesday. He said the investigation into illegal video poker operations is continuing.

The state Division of Alcohol Law Enforcement, the FBI, and the IRS were all involved in the case, which is part of the ongoing "Operation Double Black Diamonds" probe into illegal video poker businesses.

Source: Dan Kane, News Observer