http://www.ice.gov/graphics/news/inside ... 4_Web6.htm
Checkers Hall of Fame Founder Guilty in Money Laundering Case
PETAL, Miss.— The founder of the International Checker Hall of Fame in Petal pleaded guilty June 30 to federal money laundering violations after a six-month investigation led by ICE agents.
Charles Walker, 70, a former Mississippi state checkers champion who in 1976 founded the International Checker Hall of Fame, was arrested Jan. 7, 2005 by ICE agents at a motor home in a Wal-Mart parking lot in Gulfport, Miss.
At the time of his arrest, he was attempting to transfer property deeds for cash that purportedly came from drug smuggling. During the course of the investigation, an ICE undercover agent conducted several consensually monitored telephone calls and meetings with Walker to discuss his willingness to launder $6 million in represented drug smuggling proceeds.
To conceal and disguise the origin of the money, Walker created fictitious contracts with fake companies through which he would pay the undercover agent a “consulting fee” with the agents’ money, minus a 10 percent fee. Walker laundered $100,000 through his personal account and through business accounts for the International Checker Hall of Fame and the International Christian Church.
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The Clarion Ledger June 30, 2005
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs. ... 1/50630007
Checkers group founder pleads guilty to money laundering
Charles Walker
The Associated Press
HATTIESBURG — Charles Walker, founder of the International Checker Hall of Fame in Petal, has pleaded guilty to laundering money from the sale and distribution of illegal drugs.
The case began as an undercover sting operation of the U.S. Customs Service into Walker's insurance agency, according to court records. Prosecutors have released little information about what has been called an ongoing investigation.
Walker's plea depends on his cooperating with the investigation, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay T. Golden.
Walker, 72, entered the plea Wednesday in federal court in Hattiesburg. Walker could get up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, although Golden said prosecutors are recommending no more than five years.
Walker remains free on bond pending his sentencing on Sept. 29.
"Mr. Walker wants to thank his family and friends for not wavering in their support," Roger Lott, one of Walker's attorneys, said Wednesday as he left the courthouse in Hattiesburg.
Walker would only say, "I am sorry, I am not permitted to say anything."
Lott's office said today that he would have no comment on the case. The U.S. Attorney's Office said there would be no further comment.
Walker was arrested Jan. 7 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Gulfport.
Golden said Walker laundered $50,000 for an undercover agent on Nov. 18, keeping $5,000 for himself. He laundered another $50,000 on Dec. 8, keeping the same fee.
The agreement with prosecutors limits prosecution of Walker's family for any conduct related to Walker's offense and any further prosecution of Walker. No charges were filed against any of his family, Golden said.
Walker's arrest came as part of a probe — known as Operation Skymaster — into Walker's American Protective Life Insurance office in Petal, according to court records.
According to an affidavit in the case filed in January, Walker met with an undercover agent in Hattiesburg where he agreed to create a paper trail that would show the agent worked as a consultant in one of the "paper companies" operated by Walker.
"For example, the (undercover) agent would give Walker cash represented to be illegally obtained drug smuggling proceeds and Walker would turn the money through his own accounts and pay the agent with the original money," according to the affidavit.
The affidavit also stated that Walker wrote checks to the undercover agent from the following accounts:
$7,000 from the International Christian Church, which Walker, a lay preacher, had founded.
$8,000 from a joint account held with his wife, Deloris.
$20,000 from the International Checker Hall of Fame.
Walker, who founded the International Checkers Hall of Fame in 1979, has resigned his association with the museum and as president of the World Checker Draught Federation.
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Walker's chances:
http://www.newcriminologist.co.uk/grady ... 1001538305
