Arrested for casino gambling violations
LARCHWOOD—A 39-year-old Sioux Falls, SD, man was arrested about 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, on charges of gambling — avoiding setoff, solicitation to commit a felony and no valid driver’s license at Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort northwest of Larchwood.
The arrest of Cornelius Michael Clay stemmed from him winning a jackpot of $1,464.40 at a slot machine at about 3:30 a.m. that day, according to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
He had another person claim the jackpot, which amounted to $1,391.18 after taxes were withheld.
Clay paid the other person for claiming the jackpot and kept the remaining cash for himself, according to the incident report.
However, Clay owes approximately $35,000 to the state of Iowa for child support for seven children, and by Iowa law, his jackpot winnings should have been applied to his debt.
Clay then won another jackpot about 9:45 a.m. and provided an incorrect Social Security number when attempting to collect his winnings. The transaction was stopped, and he was not paid.
He also had cashed a $2,000 cash-out voucher from a slot machine and was in possession of that cash.
Clay also was found to have driven a 2022 Hyundai Kona to the casino about 10:30 p.m. the previous day when he does not have a valid driver’s license.