Bryan Micon, the man targeted by state officials for allegedly running an illegal online gambling website, appeared in a Las Vegas court today and agreed to plead guilty to the charge against him.
Micon’s plea will allow him to avoid jail time and serve probation, after which he can file to have his record reflect a gross misdemeanor instead of a felony, according to his lawyer. Micon will also need to pay a $25,000 fine.
Micon was targeted by state gaming officials in February for allegedly running an illegal poker website called Seals with Clubs that accepted the alternative currency Bitcoin. Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt charged him in April with one felony count of operating an unlicensed interactive gaming system. It was believed to be the first time state officials have cracked down on an illegal online gambling operation.
The length of Micon’s probation will still need to be determined by a District Court judge, his attorney Richard Schonfeld said after appearing in Las Vegas Justice Court today. Micon also agreed to surrender $900, 3.0996 Bitcoin and electronic equipment that state officials confiscated from him.
After his home was raided in February, Micon and his family left the country for the Caribbean island of Antigua, which has a reputation for friendliness toward online gaming. But he returned to the United States to appear in court, and he intends to remain to serve his probation, Schonfeld indicated.
Micon is set to appear in District Court on July 6.