Friday, May 1, 2015 | 6:35 p.m.
SAN DIEGO — Three men charged with running an illegal international sports gambling ring that made millions have pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy in San Diego.
The U.S. attorney's office says brothers Jan and Erik Portocarrero and Joseph Barrios entered the pleas Friday. Each faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
Prosecutors say the brothers ran an internet and telephone gambling enterprise called "Macho Sports" for more than a decade from a headquarters in Lima, Peru. Barrios was a major bookmaker for the operation.
Authorities say the company took bets from customers throughout California, strong-armed debtors and laundered proceeds.
An FBI investigation began in 2011 and led to 18 arrests in Los Angeles, San Diego and Norway, where Erik Portocarrero lived.
Authorities seized $12 million in assets that the defendants will forfeit.
Join the Discussion:
Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.
Full comments policy