COLUMBUS, OH (FOX19) -
Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien and the Ohio Casino Control Commission
announced the indictments of 10 defendants charged with felony crimes for cheating
at the Hollywood Casino in Columbus.
In separate and unrelated cases, the 10
individuals face charges stemming from cheating at table games including
blackjack, craps, roulette and baccarat.
The indicted
include: Arthur S. Murray, 40, of Reynoldsburg,
Ohio charged with five counts of cheating at blackjack; Paul Shapiro, 22, of
Columbus, Ohio charged with three counts of cheating at roulette; Terrence
Ferguson, 26, of Columbus, Ohio charged with eight counts of cheating while
playing craps; Thomas M. Collins III, 25, of Pickerington, Ohio charged with
six counts of cheating while playing craps; Andre L. Tibbs, 38, of Columbus,
Ohio charged with seven counts of cheating at blackjack; David Kim, 31 of
Columbus, Ohio charged with two counts of cheating at baccarat; Ming Wu, 45, of
Lewis Center, Ohio charged with five counts of cheating at baccarat; Mohamed
Farah Waes, 22, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio charged with 10 counts of cheating at
baccarat; Ammar Z. Hanbali, age 53, of Hilliard, Ohio
charged with 10 counts of cheating at poker; Metin Karasalih, age 42, of Canal
Winchester, Ohio charged with three counts of cheating at blackjack.
The crimes were
committed between Oct. 15 and Nov. 8 during the first month of operation
for the new Columbus casino, which opened on Oct. 8, 2012.
"These indictments are critical to ensure
the integrity of casino gaming in our state," said Karen Huey, Director of
Enforcement for the Ohio Casino Control Commission. "Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien and
the Ohio Casino Control Commission are sending a strong message that cheating
or stealing from a casino violates Ohio
law. Stealing from a casino is the same as stealing from the State of Ohio and will not be
tolerated."
A
Franklin County grand jury returned the indictments. The cases will proceed through the county
court system with the next step being arraignments. The cases are then assigned to a judge and
proceed to trial.
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