Texas Man Admits Casino Heist

MUSKOGEE, OK – Jason Lyle Mooneyham, 48, of Paris, Texas, has confessed to ripping off two Oklahoma casinos, according to federal prosecutors. Mooneyham entered a guilty plea to Theft from Indian Gaming Establishments, a federal charge carrying a hefty penalty.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma says Mooneyham’s crimes took place around December 3, 2018. The indictment alleges he “abstracted willfully and take and carry away with the intent to steal” from both the Choctaw Nation Casino and Resort and the Chickasaw Nation Winstar World Casino and Resort. The total value of the stolen property exceeded $1,000.00 at each location, prosecutors stated.

This wasn’t a smash-and-grab. The charges detail a calculated theft, indicating Mooneyham deliberately targeted these Indian gaming establishments. The crimes are specifically defined under Title 18, United States Code, Section 1167(b), a law designed to protect tribal gaming operations authorized by the National Indian Gaming Commission.

The investigation, a joint effort between the Choctaw Nation Tribal Police and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, brought Mooneyham’s scheme to light. Details of how the theft was carried out haven’t been released, but the federal conviction suggests a level of sophistication beyond a simple impulsive act. He admitted to taking money, funds, and other property from both casinos.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Steven P. Shreder accepted Mooneyham’s plea in Muskogee. A presentence investigation report has been ordered to gather details for sentencing. Mooneyham now faces a potential sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, or both.

Special Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Jordan is prosecuting the case. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as Mooneyham awaits sentencing, bringing you the unvarnished truth about crime in America. This case highlights the ongoing need for vigilance in protecting tribal assets and ensuring the integrity of Indian gaming.