Live Pittsburgh Casino Cheaters Receive Suspended Sentences
Date: 2024-09-19 Author: Alex Crawford Categories: CASINO
Casinos across the United States invest heavily in security systems to protect their customers and employees. Despite the presence of security cameras, guards, and other measures, brick-and-mortar casinos are still susceptible to crimes such as theft, robbery, and fraud.
One of the most recent examples was the case at Live Casino Pittsburgh, located in Hempfield, Pennsylvania. Two men were given suspended sentences for their roles in a fraudulent scheme that was uncovered last month.
Out-of-State Cheaters Receive Suspended Sentences
Both defendants were out-of-state residents. One, a 44-year-old Maryland resident, goes by the initials S.O., and the other, a 47-year-old California resident, goes by the initials B.S. According to Trib Live, Judge Tim Krieger handed down two years of probation for both men on Wednesday.
The judge also ordered the men to pay the casino $1,047 in restitution. The men were in jail before their sentencing, but have since been released.
They were initially charged with using a cheating device, trespassing, theft, and receiving stolen property. However, the defendants pleaded not guilty and entered into a plea agreement that allowed them to participate in a first-time offender rehabilitation program. Under the terms of the program, if they successfully complete one year of probation, all charges will be dropped.
One of the Oldest Scams
The arrest of both men was the result of an investigation that found they were using a cheating scheme at the casino. Investigators used video surveillance to determine that the cheaters were intentionally damaging cards to gain an unfair advantage in the game.
According to court documents, they were able to win over $12,000 through their scheme. However, the illegal winnings were confiscated by the casino operator. A formal criminal complaint was also filed, which led to the arrests.
During the investigation, a third person was suspected of being involved in the fraudulent scheme. As with the two men, this person was arrested. However, upon investigation, police were unable to find sufficient evidence of his involvement in the crime, so he was released from custody.
