Poker Pro Greg Raymer Arrested in Prostitution Sting

One of poker’s best known players, Greg “Fossilman” Raymer, has been arrested following a North Carolina prostitution sting operation.

According to police reports, Raymer, 48, was one of six men who responded to a classified ad on a website utilized by prostitutes to arrange “dates”.  Upon showing up at a Wake Forest, North Carolina hotel, Raymer was promptly arrested and charged with a misdemeanor for prostitution solicitation.  He was also charged with an attempted crime against nature, common in the Bible Belt region of the US.  It implies he was committing – or otherwise attempting to commit – sexual behaviour that is not considered natural.  Homosexuality, bestiality, incest and even fellatio are just some of the acts forbidden under this law.

The pudgy poker pro has won more than $7 million playing both blackjack and poker on the live circuit to date.  His most impressive feat was at the 2004 World Series of Poker where he won the Main Event.  In recent times, Raymer has become a primary fixture on the Heartland Poker Tour where he has won a number of main events.

“Mr. Raymer is very sorry for this lapse in judgement,” his lawyer, Wade M. Smith, said in a statement. “He regrets deeply the pain he has caused his family, friends and fans. Mr. Raymer is grateful for the many expressions of support he has received.”

Raymer was released on $1000 bond and must report for a hearing April 18.

Raymer, it turns out, was not the only public figure taken down as part of the prostitution sting.  Attorney Christopher Burell Shella, 41, was also arrested.  He represented Duke lacrosse gang-rape accuser Crystal Mangum after her arrest on murder charges in 2011.

- Ace King, Gambling911.com