Another suspect pleads guilty in extensive card cheat scheme

Another member of what federal prosecutors have dubbed the "Tran Organization" pleaded guilty Tuesday to a conspiracy charge related to a long-running gambling scam.

Son Hong Johnson, 45, pleaded guilty in a San Diego federal court to conspiring to steal from the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, as well as to a related racketeering charge.

Johnson and 23 others were charged in May 2007 with crimes related to a four-year-long card cheat during which millions of dollars were won from tribal casinos in four states.

Federal prosecutors claim that "Tran Organization" members paid casino employees to "false shuffle" decks of cards, allowing players to predict which cards would be dealt.

Among those recruited into the scheme was Jacob Nickels, the 26-year-old son of Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and a former pit boss at a Whatcom County casino. Nickels was sentenced in December to three months in prison and three months of home detention, in addition to $90,510 in restitution.

Johnson's sentencing is scheduled for December. He faces up to 20 years in prison.