Smith pleaded guilty earlier in 2026 to bribery and wire fraud, plus a separate gun charge. Prosecutors believe he was one of the lead recruiters, as he found players, mostly at smaller schools, and paid them bribes of $10,000 to $30,000 per game to underperform; then he sent instructions by text and FaceTime. As a result, gamblers bet against those teams, and the scheme covered at least 29 games at 17 universities across the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. It led to more than $3 million in fraudulent bets, with Smith now set to pay $1.1 million in restitution to gambling platforms.
Special agent of the FBI’s Philadelphia office, Wayne A. Jacobs, shared:
“Today’s sentencing sends a clear message: Those who exploit professional and collegiate athletes for personal gain will be held accountable. This conduct does more than harm individual athletes. It undermines the integrity of sports and the trust placed in fair competition.”
Following the ruling, Smith apologized and said he accepts the consequences, though he also said he was used as a pawn. The judge gave him less time than prosecutors asked for, although Smith’s lawyer revealed that he had made about $75,000 over two years.
Additionally, Smith is one of more than two dozen defendants, over half of which have pleaded guilty, and alleged mastermind Shane Hennen is expected to plead this week, while the rest face trial next year.
