A Cooper County court reduced the bond for a suspect connected to a March armed robbery at the Isle of Capri casino in Boonville.
Benjamin M. Charles, 21, an employee of the casino, was arrested on charges of first-degree robbery, armed criminal action and tampering with physical evidence in felony prosecution, according to court documents. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in March.
On Monday, arguments were heard and, over the objection of the state, his bond was amended from a $1.3 million bond to $1,000,000 cash or surety and $250,000 cash, according to online court records.
Charles is being held in the Cooper County Detention Center.
Isle of Capri employee charged in armed robbery at the casino
A probable cause statement said that Charles, acting alongside 20-year-old Hollis Vanleer, entered the casino on March 25, carrying guns, then stole $1,276,000 from the bank area of the casino.
During a post-Miranda interview, Charles allegedly said he planned the robbery for approximately one month. Charles allegedly provided details regarding the planning of the robbery, confirmed the suspects used explosive devices as diversionary tactics prior to the robbery and identified the second suspect as Vanleer, according to the statement.
Charles also provided details regarding the events that occurred after the robbery and where evidence items were located, according to the statement.
Charles allegedly said he purchased the AR-style rifle and pistol that investigators located. He also said he had purchased the homemade explosives from an individual in Missouri for the purposes of using them as a diversion prior to the robbery, according to the statement.
During the interview, Charles said he and Vanleer transported the money stolen from the casino, along with the rifle, out of Missouri, where the money was concealed and the rifle was disposed of.
Second suspect in Boonville casino armed robbery arrested in Illinois
Vanleer was arrested in Illinois last month after evading law enforcement for months.
The FBI Kansas City Division told KOMU 8 in June that they could not confirm if they have recovered any of the the stolen money yet.
A trial-setting hearing is scheduled for Sept. 28 in Charles' case.