An Imperial couple, Eileen R. and Daniel T. Sheldon, have been charged for allegedly stealing more than $318,075 from River City Casino in St. Louis County, court records indicate.
Between October and December 2014, Eileen Sheldon, 59, allegedly stole $216,892.83, and between November and December 2014, Daniel Sheldon, 61, reportedly stole $101,182.80, the probable-cause statement said.
The two allegedly stole the money after Eileen Sheldon discovered a glitch in the casino’s computer system that allowed her to download unearned winnings using her myChoice rewards card and then withdraw cash from the account, the report said.
Between Oct. 21, 2014, and Dec. 15, 2014, she allegedly completed 2,919 downloads to her myChoice account for a total of $582,353 and withdrew $216,892.83 of that.
Her husband allegedly completed 1,370 downloads between Nov. 7, 2014, and Dec. 15, 2014, for a total of $300,618 and withdrew $101,182.80 in cash, according to the report.
Troopers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol assigned to the Gaming Division investigated the case, and surveillance footage allegedly showed both of the Sheldons completing some of the fraudulent downloads and then withdrawing cash from the account, the report said.
After Eileen Sheldon was arrested, she reportedly admitted to “downloading money to her account that she had not earned and then cashed out the money,” according to the report.
She also reportedly said she discovered the glitch “accidentally” and then told her husband about it.
He allegedly started downloading unearned winnings and fraudulently withdrawing money from the account a couple of weeks after his wife discovered the glitch, the report said.
After Daniel Sheldon was arrested, he would not make a statement, according to the report.
On June 17, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed charges against the couple. Each one was charged with one count of stealing, a class B felony punishable by up five to 15 years in prison.
An arrest warrant has been issued for the two, but as of today (June 21), they had not been taken into custody, according to court records.
A $100,000 bond has been set for each of the Sheldons.