Sports Gambling Network Busted

Authorities said they have broken up a sports betting ring that took in $60,000 a day.

Seven men, five from New Jersey and two from Philadelphia, were indicted by a Mercer County grand jury on Tuesday on charges that they ran the operation, a spokesman for the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice said Friday.

The case is being sent to Gloucester County, where the alleged ringleader lives, for trial.

According to the indictment, police used taped conversations last year to crack the betting network. On Dec. 18, they searched the homes of the suspects and the so-called wire room in a South Philadelphia car detailing business that was said to be the center of operations.

Authorities said John B. Garbarino Jr., 35, of Franklinville, oversaw the operation and Felix Ezzio, of Philadelphia, ran the wire room, where bets were received and tracked.

Both were charged with conspiracy to promote gambling and promoting gambling.

Also charged were Michael Knobbs, 32, of Clayton; Abraxas "Rex" Bragg, 33, of Bridgeton; Mark Crecelius, 43, of Turnersville; Antonio "Tone" Capetillo. 37, of Glassboro and Joseph "Frogs" Guiffre, 28, of Philadelphia.

Each faces a maximum penalty of 10 to 15 years in prison and fines of $30,000 to $45,000 if convicted on all counts.

Dennis Wixted, the defense lawyer for Garbarino, declined comment Friday.

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Author: NBC10/AP