Mississippi Bettor Set to Admit Role in Dual Basketball Gambling Cases
mississippi-bettor-plea-basketball-gambling-cases
Marves Fairley, a Mississippi sports bettor accused of orchestrating schemes that touched both the NBA and NCAA men’s basketball, has agreed to plead guilty, according to federal court documents filed Monday.
Records from the Eastern District of Pennsylvania show Fairley will admit to acting as a “fixer” in an alleged point-shaving plot involving Division I college games. Prosecutors also plan to transfer that matter to the Eastern District of New York, where Fairley already faces felony charges tied to wagering on NBA contests with non-public information.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New York told ESPN by email that Fairley is expected to formally enter guilty pleas in both cases “in the near future.” Defense attorneys did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday morning.
Fairley, known online as “Vezino Locks,” and fellow handicapper Shane Hennen are the only defendants charged in both investigations. Prosecutors in each jurisdiction say the pair worked with players to guarantee that specific bets would cash.
In New York, Fairley is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Former Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and retired NBA player Damon Jones are among his co-defendants; Jones pleaded guilty Tuesday.
The Pennsylvania indictment accuses Fairley of bribery in sporting contests, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The case involves 26 defendants and allegations that 39 athletes across more than 17 NCAA Division I men’s programs shaved points. Fairley will become the sixth defendant to plead guilty in that matter.
Fairley previously denied any role in point-shaving during an October 2025 interview with ESPN, saying he merely “sells picks.”
Source: ESPN
