U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that a federal jury convicted Jesus Gaytan-Garcia, 45, Chicago, Illinois, of interstate transportation of stolen money and theft from an Indian tribal organisation.
Gaytan-Garcia will be sentenced on a later date to be set by the court.
“This case underscores the need for businesses, organisations, and citizens to be diligent and cautious about phone and internet scams,” said Totten.
The evidence at trial showed that on July 30, 2023, a call came into the Hartford Four Winds Casino. The caller falsely claimed he was the tribal chairperson and needed funds to make an urgent payment.
A casino supervisory employee, apparently misled by the caller’s fraudulent claims, took $700,000 in cash and walked out of the casino. At the direction of the caller, the employee transported the cash across state lines to a gas station in Gary, Indiana, where the employee then handed the money over to two unknown individuals.
The evidence at trial proved that Jesus Gaytan-Garcia was one of those individuals.
When investigators searched Gaytan-Garcia’s home in Chicago, they located a bundle of cash still wrapped in a paper band that was stamped with the word “Hartford,” the location of the victimised Four Winds Casino, and the exact date of the theft, July 30, 2023.
“The cooperative efforts of the FBI and our tribal law enforcement has resulted in justice for the Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi Indians,” said Pokagon Band Chief of Police Mario RedLegs. “I am extremely proud of the professional teamwork that was put forth by those involved in the investigation. The diligence of the investigative team and the U.S. Attorney’s Office was vital to hold Mr. Gaytan-Garcia responsible for the crimes he committed against the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians.”
“The conviction of Jesus Gaytan-Garcia represents a significant step toward justice and healing for the Pokagon Tribal Community,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan.
Gibson added, “Those involved in large-scale thefts will be held accountable for their actions. I am grateful for the dedicated investigative efforts of our team at the FBI’s St. Joseph Resident Agency, in partnership with the FBI Chicago Field Office and the Pokagon Tribal Police Department, as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan, whose collaboration was crucial in securing this successful prosecution.”
