Posted on: March 7, 2024, 11:41h.
Last updated on: March 7, 2024, 11:41h.
A former card dealer at Iowa’s Catfish Bend Casino will avoid prison if he successfully completes his five-year probation for a cheating scheme involving seven players, under a recent sentence.
Trevor McCannon, 22, of Burlington, Iowa must pay a $1,025 fine and reimburse the casino $11,185 for the nefarious plot, according to The Hawk Eye, an Iowa news outlet.
He also has to pay court costs, according to the sentence handed down by District Eight Judge Shane Wiley.
If the defendant fails to successfully complete the probationary period, he could face time in jail or additional fines. He also will have to routinely report to judicial staff to ensure he is complying with the conditions set down by the judge.
Eight Initial Charges
Initially, McCannon was charged with three counts of second-degree theft, two counts of third-degree theft, and three counts of fourth-degree theft for the wrongdoing.
During a court appearance he had pled not guilty to the multiple counts.
On January 8, McCannon then pled guilty to second-degree theft charge under a plea deal.
The charges were a result of him making mistakes (intentionally not by accident) and paying out on losing hands, according to the Hawk Eye.
The cheating stems from incidents that date back to last June.
Facebook Messages
Officials were able to get a warrant and apprehended McCannon’s cell phone.
It showed that Facebook messages were sent on June 23 to a player.
“U able to spot me 25?” one of the messages stated.
And I will get you back tonight at the casino on the tables,” a second message said.
Then, there was a thumbs-up posted by the player.
Next, McCannon responded, “Thank you brotha are a saint,” court records revealed.
CashApp transactions also were made by the same player on June 17, 19 and 23. They totaled $175.
On October 4, a judge approved a warrant for McCannon’s arrest. In total, he stole $11,185 from wrongdoing at the casino, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation said in an arrest report.
In February 2023, McCannon was hired at the casino. He was trained for over a month.
He then began working as a card dealer in the casino.
He worked on such table games as blackjack, free bet blackjack, Mississippi Stud, Four Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold Em’, and Pai Gow.
There’s no word if the seven players are under investigation and if they will be charged.
