(TOLEDO, Ohio)—Lucas County Prosecutor Julia Bates, along with the Ohio Casino Control Commission and the Ohio Attorney General's Office today announce the indictments of 11 defendants charged with cheating at the Hollywood Casino in Toledo.
A group of six individuals running an organized roulette scam was charged with a total of 29 felony counts for conspiring to cheat at the casino's roulette table over a course of two days from May 31 – June 1, 2012. The defendants are: Louis Enrrique Abad, 31, of Patterson, New Jersey, Jose M. Beato, 33, of New York, New York, Alexander R. Mootoo, 31, of Bronx, New York, Victor J. Rosado, 34, address unknown, Katiuska Paulino-Manzuceta, 36, of Passiac, New Jersey, and Johanny Paulino-Herrera, 23, of Brewster, New York. Ohio Casino Control Gaming Agents arrested the suspects following extensive surveillance.
In a separate case from June 24 – June 25, 2012, casino dealer Cordero Young, 23, of Southfield, Michigan, and Toyree Hawthorne, 26 of Detroit, Michigan were charged with cheating after Young was found to be placing fraudulent wagers for Hawthorne at a craps table where Young was working.
In three additional and separate cases involving cheating at table games the following have been charged: David Mason, 34, of Indianapolis, Indiana, Sarhad Hana Matti, 35, of Warren, Michigan and Kyle Snow, 36, of Oregon, Ohio.
"We have consistently warned the would-be cheaters that our BCI gaming agents, working under the Casino Control Commission, were all highly trained to spot casino crooks," said Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. "These indictments show that cheaters should think twice before coming into the Toledo casino to cheat."
"The integrity of casino gaming is critical to the State of Ohio; with these indictments, the Ohio Casino Control Commission is sending a strong message that cheating or stealing from a casino violates Ohio law. Stealing from a casino is the same as stealing from the State of Ohio and will not be tolerated," said Karen Huey, Director of Enforcement for the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
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Media Contacts
Dan Tierney, AGO: 614-466-3840
Tama Davis, OCCC: 614-387-0465