Utah Gambling Addict Sentenced to Seven Years Following Credit Union Heists

Posted on: May 9, 2022, 04:56h. 

Last updated on: May 10, 2022, 10:39h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More
Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

A Utah man has been sentenced to seven years’ incarceration after the robberies of two credit unions. He was described as having serious gambling addiction and faced mounting gambling losses, according to recent news reports.

Wendover Will
Wendover Will, the landmark sign that welcomes visitors to West Wendover, Nev., pictured above. An addicted gambler frequently drove to the region to gamble. He was sentenced to seven years recently following two credit union robberies to get money for his gambling habit. (Image: Gephardt Daily/Patrick Benedict)

On April 26, Utah federal Judge Ted Stewart sentenced Kevin Dean Rasband, 36, of Layton, Utah, for two counts of bank robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, the Standard-Examiner, a Utah newspaper, reported. The credit unions are located in Kaysville and Farmington, Utah.

Under a deal, Rasband entered a guilty plea and prosecutors dropped a second firearm charge. He must also pay $23,300 in restitution. After his release from prison, he will be placed under supervision for three years.

Rasband is likely to be incarcerated at a prison camp in Colorado as opposed to a prison, the report said.

Gambling Addiction, Lies, Deciet

Starting around 2014, Rasband found he could not stop gambling, the Standard-Examiner reported, citing a document submitted to the court by his federal public defender. Within three years, he lost more than $100,000, the report added.

He often chose to gamble at casinos located in the Wendover, West Wendover, Nev. area. But instead of getting help, Rasband lied to conceal his addictive behavior, according to reports from the public defender.

Instead of seeking help and trying to change, like many addicted people with substance abuse disorders, Mr. Rasband found new ways to lie and deceive to get what he wanted,” the public defender’s statement stated.

Following the second robbery, Rasband drove to Las Vegas and was close to a breaking point. Once there, he told his wife over the phone he was going to commit suicide for the wrongdoing and lost money, the report said. She convinced him to surrender to Utah authorities.

Before his arrest, Rasband was an internal auditor for the Davis County Clerk-Auditor’s Office, the Standard-Examiner said. He spent much of his workday leaving his office, getting into a rental car and then driving to Nevada.

Double Casino Heists

Rasband’s debt allegedly caused Rasband to resort to the thefts.

On Feb. 11, 2017, Rasband allegedly held up a Goldenwest Credit Union employee in Kaysville, Utah. He followed her into the vault and stole $23,000 before fleeing.

Then on March 29, 2017, Rasband allegedly robbed the Utah First Credit Union in Farmington. He fled with a money bag filled with cash. However, a pack of pink dye, used for security, exploded in the bag, and he dropped the bag. A firearm was also inside the bag. Later, authorities traced the gun back to him.

Rasband displayed a firearm during both holdups. He wore a disguise in at least one of the robberies.

No one was injured during the robberies.

Following his arrest, Rasband remained in custody at the Weber County Jail. He pleaded not guilty to the charges in May 2017. Then, in October 2019, he plead guilty to three charges.