Professional gambling defendant enters guilty plea

The last defendant of five charged with professional gambling in Columbus has entered into a plea deal in Bartholomew Circuit Court.

Mauricio Nolasco-Vazquez, 55, Indianapolis, pleaded guilty on Monday to one Level 6 felony charge of professional gambling.

The plea bargain filed with Bartholomew Circuit Court calls for the state to dismiss charges of felony charges of corrupt business influence and promoting professional gambling and will require Nolasco-Vazquez to pay monetary restitution.

Judge Pro Tem William Vance from Jackson County, who was sitting in for Judge Stephen Heimann, set Nolasco-Vazquez’ sentencing date for 10 a.m. Dec. 29.

For more on this story, see Wednesday’s Republic.