Theopulus Gordon could have prevented the death of Eric Robinson last September, but he didn’t.One of five men arrested in connection with an illegal gambling ring that operated for decades pleaded guilty this week in Allen Superior Court.
Daniel G. Zoch, 54, of the 4500 block of South Wayne Avenue, pleaded guilty Wednesday to professional gambling and in exchange will spend 1 1/2 years on probation when he is sentenced.
He was identified as a houseman in the ring, which operated out of an apartment at Three Rivers Apartments in downtown Fort Wayne. Others arrested in connection with the ring included Michael Hofmann, 48, who leased the apartment; James Ray, 31, of Churubusco; Brent Starr, 30, of Portland; and Michael Pocock, 32, of the 3400 block of Olin Avenue.
Officers from the Indiana Gaming Commission said they documented the ring in operation between December 2009 and March. But an unnamed source close to the investigation maintains the ring had operated for 23 years, according to Allen Superior Court records.
As part of his agreement with prosecutors, Zoch must cooperate with investigators and testify truthfully in any case connected to the crimes.
