Casino Patron Allegedly Held Down and Slashed in Face at Harrah’s Atlantic City

An argument at Harrah’s Atlantic City allegedly turned into a three-on-one attack in which a man was struck with a chair, chased across the gaming floor, and held down while another patron slashed his face with a folding knife.

The violence broke out shortly before 4 a.m. July 13, according to the Atlantic City Police Department (ACPD).

Officers were called to the Marina District casino at 3:54 a.m. following a report of a physical altercation involving a knife. The injured man had already been taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center’s City Division by the time police arrived.

Police said the incident started when an argument broke out between the victim and three Brooklyn men: Keontay Long, 26; Kevan Winkle, 25; and Tori Sylvanus, 27.

Descent Into Violence

The moment the confrontation spiraled into violence was captured on the casino’s security video, according to prosecutors.

They allege Long picked up a high-top chair from the casino floor and hurled it at the other man, striking him in the head.

The victim attempted to get away, but Long allegedly pursued him and tackled him. Winkle and Sylvanus then allegedly restrained the man while Long produced a folding knife with a red handle and cut him across the face, according to an affidavit of probable cause discussed in court.

The facial wound required emergency surgery to close, according to Long’s detention hearing, as reported by Downbeach.com. Police described the injuries as non-life-threatening.

Authorities said Long and Winkle left the immediate area following the attack, while Sylvanus remained at the scene.

Harrah’s security personnel located Long and Winkle elsewhere on the casino property and detained all three men before officers arrived, according to police. Investigators also recovered the alleged weapon.

Multiple Charges

Long was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault, conspiracy, possession of a weapon, and two counts of possessing a weapon for an unlawful purpose, according to ACPD.

Winkle was charged with aggravated assault, conspiracy, possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Sylvanus was charged with simple assault and released on a summons.

Winkle was initially taken to the Atlantic County Justice Facility but was later released following a detention hearing, according to Downbeach.

Long appeared in court July 21 as prosecutors sought to keep him jailed while the charges are pending.

Defense attorney Andrew Imperiale argued that the allegations did not tell the entire story and suggested evidence could show the injured man had been the aggressor.

Imperiale also stressed that Long had no prior criminal record, was expecting a child and held two jobs, Downbeach reported.

Judge Zeroes In

But Superior Court Judge William Miller focused on the allegation that Long continued the attack after the other man attempted to escape.

“After [the victim] attempted to retreat, he was sliced in the face,” Miller said. The judge also questioned why Long allegedly had a knife inside the casino and why the victim was reportedly restrained before being cut.

“To me, this is a 26-year-old with no history, but why in God’s name would you hold somebody down and cut their face?” Miller said.

Miller ruled that the alleged violence presented too great a public-safety risk and ordered Long held in pretrial detention.