Poker Player Daniel Schleben Pleads Guilty in Cocaine Case

Poker pro Daniel "Gomez" Schleben pleaded guilty Wednesday in a Knoxville, Tennessee court to conspiracy to distribute cocaine. 

U.S. District Judge Thomas Phillips set sentencing for June 22 and ordered a pre-sentence investigation.

Schleben participated in the World Series of Poker in 2007 where he placed 336 out of over 6000 entrants. 

He was indicted in October 2007 for his role as the alleged Mr. Big of a drug distribution network that federal authorities say was supplying, among others, the Black Gangster Disciples street gang in Knoxville.

That indictment also linked Schleben to major sources of supply in Atlanta, street hustlers in Knoxville and a customer base that included at least some Gangster Disciples.

According to the Knoxville News, authorities seized at least 61 kilograms, or roughly 134 pounds, of cocaine and $2 million in cash in Tennessee and Georgia in connection with the case. Court records also detail thousands of dollars in undercover crack sales and allegations that Schleben was buying as much as 10 kilograms a week from Atlanta suppliers.

Ace King, Gambling911.com