One of the fixers involved in a wide-ranging scheme to fix college basketball games received six years in federal prison on Tuesday. Jalon Smith, 30, of Charlotte, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to one count each of bribery in sporting contests, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and possession of a firearm by a felon.
In addition to the prison time, Smith received three years of supervised release, restitution of $1.1 million, and forfeiture of $75,000. Smith’s involvement in the scheme came to light in January after investigators alleged he and several other alleged accomplices “fixed and attempted to fix” over 29 games.
“Jalen Smith played a central role in this point-shaving scheme, which corrupted the integrity of NCAA games and the sport of basketball itself,” U.S. Attorney Metcalf said after Smith’s sentencing. “As his prosecution and sentence show, we will not permit the criminal corruption of athletic competition to go unanswered. Those engaged in such behavior may profit in the short term, but they’ll lose much more when our team takes them to court.”
Point Shaving Started In China
Prosecutors said those involved in the scheme sought to influence or fix NCAA men’s basketball games from about September 2022 to February 2025.
The operation began with fixing games in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) before moving on to NCAA men’s basketball games, according to federal investigators. As a fixer, Smith helped recruit and bribe players to underperform and help ensure their team failed to cover the spread in games during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.
Then, Smith helped gamblers place large wagers on those games. His operation bet against the team with players involved in the point shaving. Prosecutors said Smith had a leadership role in the operation, particularly in recruiting, managing, and paying players.
According to the investigation, fixers targeted players on teams that were underdogs and communicated with players in person and through social media, text message, and phone calls. Bribes usually ranged from $10,000 to $30,000 per game.
In total, the bribery and point-shaving scheme involved more than 39 players on over 17 different NCAA Division I men’s basketball teams. Prosecutors allege those involved fixed and attempted to fix more than 29 NCAA games, resulting in more than $3 million in fraudulent wagers and more than $1.1 million in financial losses to sportsbooks across the country.
“Today’s sentencing sends a clear message: Those who exploit professional and collegiate athletes for personal gain will be held accountable,” Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia Wayne A. Jacobs said.
“This conduct does more than harm individual athletes. It undermines the integrity of sports and the trust placed in fair competition. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to pursue those who seek to manipulate that trust for their own financial benefit and ensure they are held responsible for their actions.”
Coming Soon: More Sentences
Smith wasn’t the only person involved in the scheme. However, the court sentenced him before the rest of the group.
Others involved in the scheme include: Marves Fairley, 40, of Carson, Mississippi; Shane Hennen, 40, of Las Vegas and Philadelphia; Antonio Blakeney, 29, of Kissimmee, Florida; Roderick Winkler, 31, of Little Rock, Arkansas; and Alberto Laureano, 24, of Bronx, New York.
The FBI reported that schools with players involved in the operation included Abilene Christian, Alabama State, Buffalo, DePaul, Eastern Michigan, Fordham, Kennesaw State, La Salle, Robert Morris, Southern Miss, Tulane, and several others.
Fairley and Smith were the only people to plead guilty to any betting-related crimes. In May, he admitted to obtaining nonpublic information to wager on NBA games in a separate case that included allegedly paying former Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier.
Fairley pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
It’s unclear whether others involved will go to trial or accept a similar deal to Smith. As an organizer of the operation, it’s plausible the court gave Smith a stiffer sentence than what the rest of the operation may receive.
Feds revealed the beginning of the investigation into the scheme in September 2025. The indictments followed several recent sports betting scandals.