Larchwood, Iowa — A Sioux Falls man has been arrested on felony gambling charges after an incident at Grand Falls Casino near Larchwood.
According to a criminal complaint filed with the Lyon County Clerk of Court’s Office by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), 37-year-old Luis Mejia of Sioux Falls is accused of conspiring with another person to claim gambling winnings. He was arrested last week.
In his statement, the DCI agent says Mejia was the winner of an over $1500 jackpot at the Grand Falls Casino. The agent says Mejia moved out of the seat to the slot machine, and another patron moved into the seat and claimed the jackpot. The officer says Mejia does not have a Social Security number and is not able to claim jackpots. In addition, the agent says that even the patron who claimed the jackpot attempted to use the identity of another person to claim the winnings.
Mejia was charged with gambling-avoid forfeiture of money, and conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony, both class D felonies. If convicted on both counts and ordered to serve the sentences consecutively, Mejia could face up to ten years in prison — five years on each count.
He faces a preliminary hearing on the charges on Friday.
KIWA Staff Stock Photo
