Troy Wilcoxon Allegedly Used Casino Heist Proceeds to Buy Into WSOP Event #1
According to The Spokesman-Review, Troy Wilcoxon, 27, who placed 11th out of 898 players in the 2013 World Series of Poker Event #1: $500 Casino Employees Event for $5,010, allegedly bought into the tournament with proceeds from a heist at the Lancer Lanes Casino in Clarkston, Washington.
Wilcoxon and his friend, James Nollette, are facing burglary, theft and money laundering charges in Asotin County Superior Court after they apparently stole $25,000 in an early-morning heist on May 23. A few days later, the duo rented a car and drove 15 hours to Las Vegas where they spent eight days.
According to the The Spokesman-Review:
The investigation is being conducted by the Clarkston Police Department and the Spokane office of the state Gambling Commission.
"There’s a good chance, but we don’t know” for certain whether proceeds of the casino heist covered Wilcoxon’s tournament fee and eight-day stay at the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, said Clarkston police Detective Richard Muszynski ... There was no forced entry, Muszynski said, and the crime appeared to be committed by “someone that was somewhat familiar with the business.” Wilcoxon reportedly owed debts totaling about $15,000, investigators said.
Muszynski said police are investigating where the money from the burglary ended up. Only a bundle of $5 bills totaling $100 found near the Clarkston casino has been recovered from the theft.The two spent a total of eight days in Las Vegas. When they came back, police were waiting to interview Wilcoxon. Wilcoxon reportedly bragged to officers about his winnings from the Las Vegas trip and denied having anything to do with the burglary, instead implicating a former Lancer Lanes employee. Wilcoxon and Nollette were later arrested on burglary and stolen property charges.
Nollette and Wilcoxon have both posted bond and will appear in court on Monday.
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