In an indictment obtained by Pine Belt News, former Southern Miss men’s basketball player Arlando "Mo" Arnold was charged in a point-shaving scheme, according to a federal indictment unsealed Thursday in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Arnold has been charged with three counts of wire fraud, two counts of aiding and abetting, and a count each for bribery in sporting contests, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
According to the indictment, Arnold was recruited in late February 2024 by alleged sports-betting “fixers” to participate in a scheme involving Southern Miss men’s basketball games.
Prosecutors allege Arnold was recruited by defendants Jalen Smith, Marves Fairley and Antonio Blakeney, along with other players identified as “Person #9” and “Person #10.” The indictment states that during FaceTime calls, Arnold and the other players agreed to underperform in upcoming games to influence betting outcomes.
The first alleged attempt occurred during a Feb. 28, 2024, game between Southern Miss and South Alabama at the Mitchell Center in Mobile, Alabama. South Alabama was favored by approximately 1.5 points in the first half at sportsbooks. Prosecutors allege the fixers placed at least $275,000 in wagers on South Alabama to cover the first-half spread.
The indictment states Arnold attempted to underperform in the first half of that game, but the half ended in a tie score, resulting in betting losses for the fixers. Arnold is alleged to have scored zero points in the first half.
Following the failed attempt, prosecutors allege Arnold agreed to help fix a subsequent Southern Miss game against Louisiana-Lafayette to recover the losses. Shortly before that game, the indictment states Arnold and other players participated in a FaceTime call with alleged fixers Fairley, Blakeney and others, agreeing to underperform in exchange for bribe payments.
On March 1, 2024, Southern Miss played Louisiana-Lafayette at the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana. Louisiana-Lafayette was favored by approximately five points in the first half. Prosecutors allege the fixers placed at least $161,000 in wagers on Louisiana-Lafayette to cover the first-half spread.
According to the indictment, Southern Miss players intentionally underperformed in the first half, with Louisiana-Lafayette leading 39-23 at halftime and covering the spread. The indictment notes Southern Miss played significantly better in the second half, with both teams scoring 38 points, and Louisiana-Lafayette ultimately winning 77-61.
Prosecutors allege Fairley later arranged bribe payments totaling tens of thousands of dollars to Arnold and his teammates for their role in fixing the Louisiana-Lafayette game.
The indictment further alleges Arnold continued assisting the scheme after the games by helping recruit other NCAA men’s basketball players. Prosecutors say Arnold recruited Carlos Hart in March 2024 and later worked with Smith in December 2024 to attempt to recruit three additional Southern Miss players.
Arnold is charged as part of a broader federal investigation into illegal sports betting and point-shaving involving multiple college basketball programs
Pine Belt News reached out to the University of Southern Mississippi for comment, but the university declined at the time of publication.
Later in the afternoon, Southern Miss athletic director Jeremy McClain released a statement addressing the indictment.
“We were made aware this morning of federal charges brought against a former Southern Miss men’s basketball player as part of a larger, national sports betting investigation,” McClain said. “This news is disappointing to everyone associated with Southern Miss Athletics. Integrity of the game is important to anyone who loves college sports, and the university stands ready to assist in making sure incidents like these are removed from the competitive space in intercollegiate athletics.”
