{New Albany, Indiana}...Terry Crofford, 60, owner of TC Auto Center in Jeffersonville, and seven other Louisville area men were arrested Wednesday on federal charges alleging they ran an interstate sports bookmaking operation. The men were indicted May 23rd, but the charges were sealed until Wednesday. At a news conference in New Albany, Indiana, U.S. Attorney Joe Hogsett said authorities seized more than $126,000 in cash, several bars of pure silver, real estate and vehicles as a result of an 18-month investigation by federal, state and local officers when they raided Crofford's business May 22nd. The indictment alleges the men operated an illegal gambling business out of various locations in Jeffersonville, located across the Ohio River from Louisville, since at least January 2009. Prosecutors say the ring handled thousands of dollars of wagers on a daily basis. Others arrested were Jamie Duley, 54, and George Blair, 53, both of Jeffersonville, James Baker, 62, of Clarksville, Indiana, Steven Harkins, 55, Jeffrey Hash, 61, and Harold Joyce, 44, all of Louisville, and James Payne,44, of Pleasureville, Kentucky. If convicted, each man could face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
