Two More Defendants Plead Guilty in US College Basketball Point-Shaving Scandal

Roderick Winkler and former University of Southern Mississippi guard Arlando “Mo” Arnold have each pleaded guilty in the federal college basketball point-shaving case, and both face sentencing hearings in early 2027. Winkler's sentencing is set for 8 February 2027, and Arnold's is scheduled for 29 March 2027. Prosecutors link the wider scheme to more than $3 million in fraudulent wagers and say the operation involved over 39 players across more than 17 NCAA Division I teams.

Charges, pleas and scheduled sentencing

Winkler pleaded guilty on 26 October before US District Judge Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro to bribery in sporting contests, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. He faces a statutory maximum exposure of 45 years in prison and is due to be sentenced on 8 February 2027.

Arnold pleaded guilty to bribery in sporting contests and aiding and abetting the scheme; his sentencing hearing is scheduled for 29 March 2027. The bribery charge against Arnold carries a statutory maximum of five years in prison.

Prosecutors say fixers won $269,766 across three games involving Southern Miss and the University of New Orleans, and that the betting group stood to win $673,885 from those same three games. One Southern Miss result failed to deliver the required spread outcome, leaving the group's actual winnings at $269,766.

“This news is disappointing to everyone associated with Southern Miss Athletics,” said Southern Miss Athletic Director Jeremy McClain in January. “Integrity of the game is important to anyone who loves college sports.”

How prosecutors say the scheme worked

The Justice Department says participants fixed or attempted to fix more than 29 games, generating in excess of $3 million in fraudulent wagers and causing sportsbooks to lose more than $1.1 million. Trainers and fixers used grassroots basketball connections to recruit players who could be paid to underperform or to influence whether a team covered the point spread.

Winkler, 32, worked as an AAU and high school coach and trainer in Little Rock, Arkansas. Prosecutors say his network, like that of fellow fixer Jalen Smith, gave him access to players beginning in the 2023-24 season. Payments allegedly ranged from $10,000 to $30,000 per game. Winkler is accused of participating in schemes involving roughly a dozen players and games that included Nicholls State, Tulane, Saint Louis, Buffalo, North Carolina A&T and Robert Morris. He also allegedly helped recruit University of New Orleans guard Carlos Hart for a March 2024 game against Lamar.

Arnold averaged 6.2 points and 2.4 assists during his fifth-year senior season with the University of Southern Mississippi in 2023-24. Prosecutors allege he helped manipulate two Southern Miss games that season: a 73-70 defeat against South Alabama and a 77-61 loss to Louisiana. They also allege he recruited New Orleans guard Carlos Hart for the March 2024 game that produced a six-figure betting win for the group.

Case progress and earlier sentence

Trainer Jalen Smith became the first defendant sentenced in the investigation when a federal judge gave him 72 months in prison in October. Winkler and Arnold now follow with guilty pleas and scheduled sentencing in February and March 2027 respectively.

For ongoing coverage of legal and regulatory fallout from the investigation see the news and sports sections.