Casino Crime News Roundup: Man Identified in Casino Fatal Fall, Likely Suicide

Posted on: February 11, 2025, 07:00h. 

Last updated on: February 11, 2025, 07:02h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More

Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

• Sheriff said the fall from the 20th floor was likely a suicide
• The body landed near the valet entrance
• Man was identified

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The man who fell from the 20^th floor of Harveys Lake Tahoe Hotel & Casino on Saturday apparently died by suicide, according to a Nevada sheriff.

The man was identified as Daniel Tovar, 31, of Pomona, Calif., Douglas County Sheriff Dan Coverley revealed on Monday. Coverley also told Reno TV station KRNV that the fall was likely death by suicide.

Tovar was declared dead at 2:50 p.m. Saturday after suffering fatal injuries in the fall at the Stateline, Nev. gaming complex.

His body landed near the casino’s valet entrance. He later was identified by fingerprints and DNA, according to the Tahoe Daily Tribune.

Tovar had taken a bus from Los Angeles to Stateline earlier on Saturday.

Authorities didn’t reveal a reason for the suicide.

A national hotline is available for those struggling with suicidal thoughts. It’s the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Illegal Florida Betting Joint Raided

Three men were arrested in Tampa, Fla. on Monday the day after police searched an illicit gambling operation.

Sunday’s raid led to the seizure of computers, gambling receipts, more than $12K in cash, and a semi-automatic pistol.

The gaming den was run in All Stars Tampa Domino Club, authorities revealed.

Tampa Police Department officers initially were tipped off about the illegal gambling joint in December 2023. Undercover detectives put the gaming den under surveillance.

Visitors to the business typically stayed for three minutes and were in possession of paper receipts upon leaving, police said.

The undercover detectives entered the business and made six bets on sporting events. They included a Boston Celtics-Toronto Raptors NBA game.

Detectives presented evidence to local prosecutors who were able to get a search warrant approved by a judge.

The suspects were identified as Marcelino Perez, 67; Charlie Parilla, 32; and Kendrick Franklin, 29.

Perez was charged with a count of conspiracy to bookmake, a count of RICO violation, and a count of agent or employee of keeping a gambling house.

Franklin was charged with two counts of betting on results of trial or contest of skill, a count of bookmaking, a count for RICO violation, and a count of agent or employee of keeping a gambling house.

Parilla was charged with four counts of betting on the results of a trial or contest skill, a count of bookmaking, a count for RICO violation, and a count of agent or employee of keeping a gambling house.

The three men appeared in court on Monday. Bail was set for Perez at $52,650, for Franklin at $57,650, and for Parilla at $62,650.

This is more than just sports betting,” Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said in a statement quoted by Tampa Bay TV station WTVT. “This is an illegal business that was set up.”

“The success of this [police] operation is a testament to the tireless work and attention to detail shown by our officers,” Bercaw added. “To anyone thinking about running an illegal gambling operation in Tampa, consider this [is] your warning.”