GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A federal jury has convicted a Chicago, Illinois man for posing as a tribal chairperson and stealing thousands of dollars from a West Michigan casino.
Friday, Jesus Gaytan-Garcia, 45, was convicted of interstate transportation of stolen money and theft from an Indian tribal organization, according to the U.S. Department of Justice Western District of Michigan.
He is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date, officials said.
“This case underscores the need for businesses, organizations, and citizens to be diligent and cautious about phone and internet scams,” U.S. Attorney Totten said. “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 for this bold crime.”
According to evidence shown at his trial, Gaytan-Garcia called Hartford Four Winds Casino on July 30, 2023, claiming he was a Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi Indians chairperson and needed money for an urgent payment.
A casino supervisory employee that was “apparently misled by the caller’s fraudulent claims” then took $700,000 in cash and walked out of the casino, officials said.
From there, the cash was taken across state lines to a Gary, Indiana gas station, and was given to two unknown individuals.
Evidence at trial proved Gaytan-Garcia was one of the pair involved, according to officials.
Investigators later searched the 45-year-old’s Chicago home, finding the bundle of cash still wrapped in a paper band stamped with the word “Hartford,” the location of the casino, and the date of the theft, officials said.
Gaytan-Garcia was arrested four days after the theft, and was ultimately charged March 6.
“The cooperative efforts of the FBI and our tribal law enforcement has resulted in justice for the Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi Indians,” Pokagon Band Chief of Police Mario RedLegs said. “I am extremely proud of the professional teamwork that was put forth by those involved in the investigation. 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.”
Pokagon Band Tribal Police, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin Lane and Alexia Jansen were credited for their assistance in the case.
0
20
20
