Woman in once-thriving Lexington County gambling ring sentenced in federal court

A woman who helped handle customers’ money at a once-thriving alleged Lexington County gambling ring was sentenced Monday to three years probation in federal court in Columbia.

Dana Riley, 48, who wept at times during the hearing, was the first of five defendants in the alleged ring to be sentenced. She had earlier pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in illegal gambling.

“She was the least culpable of all of them,” said assistant U.S. Attorney Lothrop Morris, the prosecutor. “She was literally the person who collected money and let people in and out of the door.”

While it operated, the alleged gambling business in the Red Bank area of Lexington County earned up to $100,000 a week and stayed open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. the next morning, according to an indictment in the case. Video cameras were positioned outside and operators only allowed people they knew to enter.

The business operated at two locations, the indictment said: 1320 South Lake Drive and 5042 Platt Springs Road.

Riley’s attorney, Neal Truslow, told U.S. Judge Sherri Lydon that Riley had severe mental and physical health problems that caused her to take the job with the gambling ring..

“She made a poor choice,” Truslow said. “She is here today with humility and remorse.”

Riley told the judge through tears, “I am truly sorry for what I have done. ... I was just trying to survive.”

Judge Lydon asked Riley, “Have you got a plan going forward?”

“Yes, ma’am,” replied Riley.

Lydon said, “You strike me as someone who would make a good employee for anybody.”

Riley was one of five people indicted last summer by a federal grand jury.

One defendant, Melanie Taylor, 50, the alleged ring’s bookkeeper, pled guilty in February to one count of conspiracy to engage in an illegal gambling business before Lydon. Taylor will be sentenced on May 22.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division made the original arrests in this case. Federal authorities brought charges later.

Charges are pending against the other three defendants in the case. They are Fred McCary, Debbie Hamm and James Helms. All have pled not guilty.

One of the judge’s conditions for Riley while she is on probation: “You are not to engage in any form of gambling.”

This story was originally published April 22, 2025 at 5:00 AM.