This week, it was announced that a retired highway patrol trooper had been charged with lying to the FBI during an investigation into illegal gambling in Wichita, Kansas. 52-year-old Michael Fredericksen has been charged with two counts of making false statements to FBI investigations. The criminal complaint alleges that in 2014, while the defendant was a Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper, he was filmed partaking in an illegal cash poker game.
On February 23, 2017, the defendant was interviewed by FBI agents investigating illegal gambling in Wichita. The FBI had a video of the defendant playing in an illegal cash poker game on February 12, 2014 at 922 ½ East Douglas in the Old Town District of the city. The site contained poker tables, liquor, a cabinet for valuables and poker chips, and snacks. The venue also had staff, such dealers and servers.
At the time, an undercover investigator was at the venue posing as a gambler. During the event, the undercover officer attempted to take photographs using his phone. The men running the game told him he was making other players nervous. While the undercover officer was allowed to continue playing, the games were moved to other locations following that night.
The FBI was aware that Fredericksen was in frequent contact with one of the game’s organizers, who is being identified as J.S. During the FBI interview, the defendant made false statements and downplayed his involvement in the poker game and his relationship with the operator. If the defendant is convicted, he will face a maximum fine of up to five years in federal prison on each count.
At this point in time, the defendant remains innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Additional details have been made available here.