Lafayette, LA – In a significant bust within Louisiana’s correctional system, authorities have revealed the discovery of a large-scale gambling operation run from inside a state prison. The operation, which involved over 30,000 transactions, was allegedly managed by an inmate identified as Scott B.S., who has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses related to illegal gambling and the unlawful establishment of social media accounts for inmates.
According to law enforcement officials, the gambling network was sustained through contraband smuggled into the facility, allowing B.S. to facilitate the transactions and manage a clandestine gambling ring that operated under the radar of prison authorities for an extended period. The details of the investigation indicate a well-coordinated operation, suggesting the involvement of numerous individuals inside and outside the prison system.
While the total amount of money wagered through the network remains unknown, authorities are confident that it was substantial. The police have warned the public that sending money to inmates through third-party applications is illegal and could result in further scrutiny. Such transactions, law enforcement officials contend, are often linked to illegal activities such as drug trafficking and the smuggling of contraband into prisons.
The investigation, which began in 2023, spanned 18 months, with police tracking suspicious financial transactions across multiple state correctional facilities. Authorities have pointed to family and friends of inmates as potential targets for further investigation. According to the police, inmates often request money through digital means, but this is frequently a front for funding illegal activities rather than legitimate needs.
“The transfers of money are often used to purchase drugs and contraband or to facilitate their smuggling into the prison system,” said a spokesperson for the Louisiana State Police. “It’s a major concern for the integrity and security of our correctional facilities.”
Following his arrest, B.S. was transferred to the Iberville Parish Jail, where he is being held as authorities work to dismantle the gambling ring. As of now, no other inmates have been named as co-defendants or suspects in the case, though the investigation remains ongoing.
This case highlights a growing concern within correctional facilities across the state, where the combination of contraband, illegal gambling, and other illicit activities poses a serious challenge to prison security. The Louisiana State Police have vowed to continue working to safeguard the integrity of the state’s prisons and ensure that such illegal operations are swiftly shut down.