Brent Carter, a two-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner, has pleaded guilty to the federal crime of making hoax threats against the New York Gaming Commission.
Carter Faces Time Served and 3 Years’ Probation
Carter was accused of sending suspicious packages and threatening voicemail messages to the Commission between 2017 and 2021. The packages contained white powder which was later found to be harmless. In one of the voicemails, Carter made reference to the mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest music festival in Las Vegas which left 60 people dead.
Even after being warned by federal agents for making hoax threats, the 72-year-old continued to send the white powder to the Commission in early 2021. He was then arrested by the FBI in Las Vegas.
Carter will be sentenced in May 17 during which he is expected to receive time served and three years’ probation.
Carter Held Decades-Old Grudge Against the Commission
Carter’s actions stemmed from a decades-old grudge against the Commission which, in 1976, suspended his horse racing license over cheating allegations. The agency eventually cleared Carter of the accusations and notified him in several letters that he could continue with his horse racing pursuits. But Carter apparently had not received any of the letters, leading him to believe that he was still suspended.
After moving away from horse racing, Carter shifted to poker and had achieved considerable success in the game, having won two WSOP bracelets in 1991 and 1994.