Federal jury convicts Jesus Gaytan-Garcia for his role in a bold theft from the Pokagon Band’s Four Winds Casino, linked to the notorious Michigan casino heist.
Casino Scam Nets Conviction in High-Stakes Heist
A federal jury has convicted Jesus Gaytan-Garcia, 45, of Chicago, Illinois, on charges of interstate transportation of stolen money and theft from an Indian tribal organization. The charges stem from a July 2023 scam that resulted in the theft of $700,000 in cash from the Hartford Four Winds Casino, owned by the Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi Indians, in what is now referred to as the Michigan casino heist.
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, Mark Totten, announced the conviction, emphasizing the importance of vigilance in protecting businesses and organizations from scams. “Thanks to the persistent and dedicated investigators at the Pokagon Tribal Police Department and FBI, Mr. Gaytan-Garcia was identified as one of the perpetrators of this theft scam and is being held accountable,” Totten said.
A Bold Scheme Unfolds
The incident began on July 30, 2023, when a caller falsely claiming to be the tribal chairperson contacted the casino and requested urgent funds. Deceived by the caller, a casino supervisor retrieved $700,000 in cash, transported it across state lines to a gas station in Gary, Indiana, and handed it to two unknown individuals.
Evidence presented during the trial tied Gaytan-Garcia to the theft. When investigators searched his Chicago home, they discovered a bundle of cash, still wrapped in a paper band stamped with the word “Hartford,” the location of the Four Winds Casino, and the exact date of the theft.
Tribal and Federal Collaboration Key to Justice
Tribal and federal authorities worked closely to solve the case. Mario RedLegs, Chief of Police for the Pokagon Band, commended the joint efforts of law enforcement. “The diligence of the investigative team and the U.S. Attorney’s Office was vital to hold Mr. Gaytan-Garcia responsible for the crimes he committed against the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians,” he said.
The FBI also praised the teamwork involved in bringing Gaytan-Garcia to justice. Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan, emphasized the importance of accountability in large-scale thefts. “The conviction of Jesus Gaytan-Garcia represents a significant step toward justice and healing for the Pokagon Tribal Community,” Gibson stated.
Justice and Next Steps
Gaytan-Garcia’s sentencing will be determined by the court at a later date. He faces significant penalties for his involvement in the scheme, which exploited the trust and resources of the Pokagon Band.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin Lane and Alexia Jansen led the prosecution, with the FBI St. Joseph Resident Agency, FBI Chicago Field Office, and the Pokagon Tribal Police Department spearheading the investigation.
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