Armed Casino Robbery Conviction Rocks Billings Community
A jury has convicted Billings resident Antonio Francisco Gutierrez, 36, of armed robbery, brandishing a firearm, and being a felon in possession of a firearm in connection with the 2018 armed robbery of Dotty’s Casino.
The crime occurred on February 5, 2018, when Gutierrez entered the casino wearing a hood, hat, and facemask and attempted to open the inner door. After being let in by a casino attendant, Gutierrez pulled a pistol from his coat pocket and pointed it at the attendant’s back, forcing her to empty the till.
Gutierrez and his co-defendant, Christopher Esrey, were eventually detained by officers after they went to gamble at another casino.
Gutierrez faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release on the robbery count, as well as a consecutive mandatory seven years to life, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release on the brandishing count.
U.S. District Judge Susan Watters presided over the trial and set sentencing for May 16.
Prosecutors alleged that Gutierrez asked Esrey to drive him to Dotty’s Casino to meet a friend to “get some money,” and that the pair arrived at the casino at approximately 11:43 p.m. Esrey waited in the car while Gutierrez entered the casino.
Gutierrez was found guilty of three counts: robbery affecting commerce (18 U.S.C. § 1951), brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence (18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)), and being a felon in possession of a firearm (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)).
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime by focusing enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partnering with locally based prevention and reentry programs.
Esrey, Gutierrez’s co-defendant, pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact and is set to be sentenced on February 7.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Billings Police Department, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colin Rubich and Tom Godfrey prosecuting the case.
Billings, MT – A jury convicted Billings resident Antonio Francisco Gutierrez, 36, of armed robbery, brandishing a firearm, and being a felon in possession of a firearm on January 16 in connection with the 2018 armed robbery of Dotty’s Casino.
Gutierrez is currently detained and faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release on the robbery count, as well as a consecutive mandatory seven years to life, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release on the brandishing count.
The crime occurred on February 5, 2018, when Gutierrez entered Dotty’s Casino wearing a hood, hat, and facemask and attempted to open the inner door. After being let in by a casino attendant, Gutierrez pulled a pistol from his coat pocket and pointed it at the attendant’s back, forcing her to empty the till.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime by focusing enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partnering with locally based prevention and reentry programs.
Gutierrez is scheduled to be sentenced on May 16 before U.S. District Judge Susan Watters.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Billings Police Department, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colin Rubich and Tom Godfrey prosecuting the case.
Esrey, Gutierrez’s co-defendant, pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact and is set to be sentenced on February 7.
The case highlights the importance of community partnerships in reducing violent crime and bringing perpetrators to justice.
Gutierrez faces a maximum 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release on the robbery count, as well as a consecutive mandatory seven years to life, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release on the brandishing count.
Esrey, Gutierrez’s co-defendant, pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact and is set to be sentenced on February 7.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Billings Police Department, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colin Rubich and Tom Godfrey prosecuting the case.
Gutierrez is currently detained and awaiting sentencing on May 16 before U.S. District Judge Susan Watters.
Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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