A man, suspected of a robbery and murder of a casino employee in Sacramento, California, was recently convicted. The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office revealed Tuesday that the defendant, identified with the initials D.C., was found guilty of first-degree murder and robbery, related to a crime at Capitol Casino dating back to last year.

The defendant was convicted by a jury on Tuesday with the “allegation of personal use of a firearm causing death and the special circumstance of murder during the commission of robbery found true,” prosecutors revealed. Moreover, the 38-year-old was convicted of second-degree robbery with the allegation of personal use of a firearm, the intentional discharge of a firearm along with “aggravating factors.”

It’s important to note that the conviction isn’t the same as a sentence. A verdict by a jury or a judge can result in conviction whereas a sentence is usually ordered by a judge. In other words, the conviction means that a person was found guilty of a crime or has agreed to plead guilty to a crime after a trial.

Considering the defendant’s conviction, he may face a sentence of life imprisonment without parole. According to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, the sentencing of the defendant is scheduled for January 12, 2024, before the Honorable Allen Sumner.

Attempted Robbery Results in the Death of a Casino Security Guard

The latest conviction against D.C. comes after a crime that occurred on August 22, 2022. At the time, the person tried to rob the Capitol Casino. Upon entering, the culprit was caught by a casino guard on duty with the initials S.B. Once the security guard caught the perpetrator, he walked him out of the casino property while holding him at a taser point.

Once the two were outside of the casino, D.C. drew up a firearm and ran back inside the venue. The robber made his way to one of the casino cash cages and pointed his gun at another casino employee. At that time, the security guard was able to catch up to the criminal and tried to tase him.

The reaction of the robber was instant as he shot the guard in the neck. The wound was fatal and resulted in the death of the casino security guard. The robber then took some $38,000 from the casino cash cage and left the venue.

An employee of the casino chased the culprit and saw him try to hide in a car parked nearby. Once law enforcement arrived, the criminal shot in the direction of the casino employee and tried to run away from the police on foot. Shortly after, he was arrested.

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Earlier this month, law enforcement was dispatched to Robinsonville, Mississippi, after a shooting incident resulted in a car crash. The crime had taken place near a casino on Casino Center Drive and Tunica County Sheriff’s Office immediately started to investigate the shooting that resulted in the death of three individuals. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the shooting and subsequent accident have taken the lives of one 25-year-old from Robinsonville resident identified with the initials T.T.M., as well as a 23-year-old of Dundee identified with the initials S.D.B. The shooting and accident claimed the life of a 24-year-old Tunica resident with the initials D.M.I.

Last week, law enforcement confirmed that the 23-year-old was the driver of the vehicle who sustained multiple gunshot wounds. On the other hand, the 24-year-old who was killed wasn’t shot but died due to trauma caused by the vehicle crash. Finally, police confirmed that the 25-year-old woman who was also in the car was shot multiple times. She happened to be pregnant with an unborn child.

Upon announcing details regarding the ruthless crime, the Tunica County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that it will seek punishment for Capitol murder. The described incident dates back to November 10, 2023, law enforcement confirmed.

Homicide Suspect Faces Three Counts of Capital Murder

In a Wednesday update, the Tunica County Sheriff’s Office announced it charged a person with the initials D.C.T., 18, suspected of the triple homicide that has taken place near the casino in Robinsonville. According to a statement by law enforcement, the suspect is currently being held without bond.

Charges against the alleged murderer include three counts of Capital murder, four counts of Shooting into a Motor Vehicle, as well as four counts of Conspiracy to Commit a crime. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the triple homicide case investigation is still ongoing. Moreover, police confirmed that they anticipate marking more related arrests. The Sheriff’s Office encouraged anyone who has information regarding the triple homicide to contact it or reach CrimeStoppers.

Under Mississippi Code Section 97-3-19(1) & (2)(j), Capital murder is subject to a penalty of life imprisonment or the death penalty. Currently, it is unclear whether the 18-year-old alleged murderer had any accomplices for the crime that has taken the lives of three people.

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Macau authorities have identified a 44-year-old mainland Chinese man as the prime suspect in the murder case that unfolded at the notorious casino resort The Parisian Macao earlier this week. Macau’s Judiciary Police (PJ) and Public Security Police Force have revealed that the motive behind the crime appears to be an argument over money.

Macau Officials Reveal Disturbing Details of Casino Resort Murder Case

During a press conference held on Friday afternoon, Macau officials provided further details about the incident, as reported by Asgam. The victim, a 27-year-old man, and the suspect were known to each other and were staying in the same hotel room. The murder occurred on May 4 when the victim entered the room. The suspect entered the room around 5 am and departed two hours later, carrying luggage.

Based on preliminary investigations, it has been determined that a dispute over money took place between the suspect and the victim inside the hotel room. The suspect allegedly killed the victim during the altercation and proceeded to steal cash, a mobile phone, and a gold ring before fleeing the scene. He managed to escape to mainland China through QingMao Port.

Local authorities were alerted to the incident around 5 pm on Thursday and promptly initiated an investigation. With the assistance of mainland police, the suspect was swiftly identified, and his whereabouts were determined. At 11 pm, mainland police successfully apprehended the suspect in Chaozhou City, Guangdong Province.

The Main Suspect Admitted to the Assault

Following his arrest, the suspect admitted to assaulting the deceased but remained silent about the details of the subsequent events that unfolded. It has been revealed that the victim was a member of a notorious money exchange gang and was carrying HKD170,000 ($21,662) in cash at the time of the incident. The suspect allegedly used a water bottle to strike the victim, causing a laceration to the head, before proceeding to strangle the victim with his hands.

The accused has now been formally charged with homicide, aggravated homicide, and robbery. The investigation into the case continues as authorities gather further evidence and work towards bringing the suspect to justice.

Despite such cases, Macau witnessed a decline in gambling-related crimes in 2022, thanks in part to reduced tourist numbers. Secretary of Security Wong Sio Chak revealed in March that 371 cases were reported, down 41.6% from the previous year. 

Offenses included fraud, disorderly conduct, loan sharking, theft, and improper appropriation. Mainland China and its SARs were the primary origins of offenders, with minimal involvement from Hong Kong. While gambling-related crimes remain significant, Macau anticipates a strong economic recovery, aiming for $16 billion in gross gaming revenue by 2023.

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Two women from Moreno Valley, California, have been given life imprisonment without parole for the murder of 84-year-old Afaf Assad at Pechanga Resort Casino in 2019. 

Victim’s Family Seeks Justice as Women Receive Life Sentence for Elderly Murder

Kimesha Monae Williams, aged 39, and Candace Tai Townsel, aged 42, were convicted in February this year of murder, robbery, and elder abuse. The murder was aggravated by the crimes of theft and mistreatment of the old woman, resulting in a life sentence for both women. The sentences for robbery and elder abuse were stayed as part of the single act that led to the murder of Assad.

The Mercury News reported that during the sentencing at Southwest Justice Center in French Valley on April 21, 2023, Mary Assad, the victim’s daughter, delivered an impact statement, saying that this had been a painful journey through the court justice system. She said that she could not believe her mother was the victim of such a violent crime. The family was seeking a reckoning for the heinous act committed by the two women, but not vengeance.

Kimesha Monae Williams, in a statement read to the court by her attorney, expressed her condolences and stated that she had not killed anyone. She added that the court found her guilty of the charges, but the truth was known to God. Townsel did not make any statement.

The statement made by Williams did not move Superior Court Judge Timothy F. Freer. The judge said that the idea that neither Williams nor Townsel were responsible for the death of a human being was laughable. 

Calls for Greater Security Measures After Elderly Murder at Pechanga Resort Casino

Judge Freer further mentioned that the victim, who had lived a long life, did not deserve to be violently murdered in a casino. He added that she was left on a bathroom floor with her head exploding. Several family members and friends of the victim wiped tears and sobbed as Freer pronounced the life sentence without parole.

The Riverside County District Attorney, Mike Hestrin, did not seek the death penalty. This case has attracted significant attention in California, and the sentences are expected to send a strong message to criminals who target the elderly. 

The incident at the Pechanga Resort Casino has raised concerns regarding the safety of senior citizens who visit such places. There have been calls for greater security measures and more robust screening processes for visitors to prevent future occurrences.

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The murder of a young woman has shocked the Philippines. Rizia Mae Pardillo Ycot, 24, was serving her shift as a Small-Time Lotteries (STL) vendor in the city of Cotabato City when she got shot in the head by a heinous criminal. The suspects are the criminal gangs running illegal lottery operations.

STLs are legal lottery booths that offer forms of legal lottery gaming to local customers. Unfortunately, local gangs believe STLs are undermining their illegal gambling operations and have come to detest the booths.

The pressure on STL vendors is, sadly, nothing new. Many people working in the sector have reported having been threatened by gangs on countless occasions. Locals are almost certain that Ycot was shot by a gang member as her assailant did not steal anything. The crime was likely meant to scare other STLs into giving up on their business.

While the local gangs have previously refrained from murdering STL vendors to prove a point, it seems that illegal operators in the Philippines are now ready to do anything if that will keep them in power.

Halting Lotteries Will Allow the Police to Investigate

Now, several weeks after Ycot’s murder, Bruce Matabalao, mayor of Cotabato City, has ordered the temporary shutdown of all lotteries in the city. In the wake of the recent killing, city officials are concerned about the well-being of STL vendors.

The decision to halt STL operations in the city comes as Querubin Manalang, director of the city police, asked Matabalao to take action. Matabalao thus ordered the arrest of anyone selling any type of lottery, regardless if they were authorized to do so or not.

Lotteries will remain shut down until officials form a plan to tackle the issue and investigate Ycot’s murder. Manalang, who proposed the measure, said that the temporary stopping of operations will provide his team with the time it needs to do its job.

Other Recent Developments

In other news, the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) sector recently became the object of public criticism. According to a survey, the majority of Filipinos believe that POGOs are harmful to society and the economy and encourage a sinful lifestyle.

In the meantime, the PAGCOR, a body that regulates gambling in the country, just terminated its contract with an allegedly fraudulent auditing firm. As it turned out, the company, Global ComRCI, had provided fake documents during its application for becoming PAGCOR’s third-party auditor.

The regulator will audit POGOs by itself until it finds a new partner.

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