Feds Say Gambling Raps Against Two Toledo Players Were Connected

Toledo, Ohio (AHN) - The Federal Bureau of Investigation is convinced that recent point-shaving charges involving a Toledo basketball player are related to a previous gambling case involving a football player.

Last week, federal authorities began investigating Sammy Villegas, who played college basketball at Toledo for four seasons.

The guard is accused of shaving points while in his junior and senior years, the last one in the 2005-06 campaign.

FBI authorities believe Villegas' case is related to that of running back Harvey McDougle Jr., who was allegedly involved in a gambling scheme.

The rusher's case was dropped in May 2007, a month after he was charged.

Villegas had an impressive first two seasons at Toledo, winning the Mid-American Conference freshman of the year award.

He also led the school to a National Invitation Tournament stint in his sophomore season.

But the guard's scoring dipped in his junior and senior campaigns. He later played professional basketball in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.