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Five people have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a nationwide casino identity theft scheme that stole more than $800,000 from a company providing cash access services to casinos and online sports betting operators.
Among those sentenced was Abraham Ruiz, 44, of Joplin, Missouri, who received 34 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
According to an Oct. 14 announcement from the US Department of Justice, Ruiz and four co-defendants used stolen personal information and forged driver’s licenses to impersonate customers and withdraw funds from their accounts.
The fraudulent transactions occurred at casinos across the United States over nearly three years, from July 2021 to March 2024.
Stolen identities fuel nationwide casino fraud
Federal prosecutors said the five defendants targeted customers of a company that provides cash access services to casinos and online gaming operators.
After identifying customers, the conspirators obtained their personal information and used it to create counterfeit driver’s licenses bearing the victims’ identities.
The forged identification documents allowed members of the group to impersonate legitimate account holders and withdraw money from their accounts.
Prosecutors said the defendants repeatedly carried out fraudulent transactions at casinos nationwide, ultimately stealing more than $800,000.
The Justice Department did not identify the affected casinos or the cash access company. It also did not specify how the defendants obtained the customers’ personal information or whether any online sports betting accounts were directly compromised.
Five defendants receive federal prison sentences
All five defendants pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Jeremy Cushing, 53, of Topeka, Kansas, received the longest prison sentence at 95 months, or nearly eight years.
Rachael Matoian, 36, also of Topeka, received 38 months, while Ruiz received 34 months.
The remaining two defendants, Cassandra Williams, 39, of Spring Valley, California, and Leroy Noll, 46, of Newton, received 12 months each.
Together, the defendants received sentences totaling 191 months, although each will serve an individual prison term.
The Justice Department’s announcement did not disclose whether the defendants were ordered to pay restitution or provide a breakdown of the amount attributed to each individual.
Federal officials warn of identity theft risks
US Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser said the case demonstrates how stolen personal information can be exploited for financial gain.
He urged consumers to protect their identifying information and promptly report suspicious account activity.
FBI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge Chris Ormerod said the investigation highlights the continued use of traditional fraud methods despite technological advances in the gaming industry.
Ormerod pointed to the defendants’ use of fabricated government identification documents to carry out the scheme and emphasized the FBI’s commitment to investigating financial fraud.
The case also highlights identity verification risks for casino operators and financial service providers, particularly when customers access funds using government-issued identification.
Federal, tribal and local agencies investigated
The investigation involved the FBI, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribal Police Department and the Jackson County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant US Attorney Lindsey Debenham prosecuted the case in the District of Kansas.
The original NewsTalk KZRG report highlighted Ruiz’s 34-month sentence, while the Justice Department’s announcement detailed the prison terms imposed on all five defendants.
The federal announcement did not identify the casinos involved or provide additional information about possible restitution to affected customers.
