Chicago Man Convicted in $700K Casino Scam, Faces 15 Years

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A Chicago man has been convicted in a brazen scheme that involved stealing $700,000 from a Michigan casino after tricking an employee over the phone. Jesus Gaytan-Garcia, 45, faces up to 15 years in prison for his role in the theft, which occurred in July 2023 at the Four Winds Casino in Hartford, Michigan.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Michigan, Gaytan-Garcia was found guilty of theft from an Indian tribal organization and interstate transportation of stolen money. The scam began when a caller posing as a tribal chairperson convinced a casino supervisor to gather $700,000 and deliver it to a gas station in Gary, Indiana. The employee, misled by the caller, handed over the cash to two men, one of whom was Gaytan-Garcia.

“This case underscores the need for businesses, organizations, and citizens to be diligent and cautious about phone and internet scams,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. The investigation, led by the FBI and Pokagon Tribal Police, uncovered evidence linking Gaytan-Garcia to the crime, including a bundle of cash marked with the casino’s location and the date of the theft found in his Chicago home.

Pokagon Band Chief of Police Mario RedLegs praised the collaborative efforts of law enforcement, stating, “The cooperative efforts of the FBI and our tribal law enforcement has resulted in justice for the Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi Indians.”

Gaytan-Garcia’s defense argued that the money found in his home was accessible to others, but the jury disagreed. He was convicted on two charges and awaits sentencing. Other individuals connected to the theft remain under investigation.

Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan, emphasized the significance of the conviction, saying, “The conviction of Jesus Gaytan-Garcia represents a significant step toward justice and healing for the Pokagon Tribal Community.”