(Lawrenceburg, IN) – A Dearborn County jury has convicted 42-year-old Daniel Birdseye in connection with the March 2024 armed robbery of the Hollywood Casino in Lawrenceburg.
The verdict came down after a four-day trial coming from what is believed to be the first prosecuted casino robbery in Indiana.
Jurors found Birdseye guilty of Kidnapping; Criminal Confinement While Armed with a Deadly Weapon (both Level 3 felonies), and three counts of Intimidation While Armed with a Deadly Weapon (Level 5 felonies).
Birdseye, who is from Cincinnati, pled guilty on the first day of the trial to Robbery While Armed with a Deadly Weapon (Level 3 felony).
He was acquitted on one count of Criminal Confinement While Armed with a Deadly Weapon, and of one count of Intimidation While Armed with a Deadly Weapon.
Birdseye was accused of pulling out a 9 mm handgun on a Hollywood Casino employee and demanding money from the casino cage area.
Testimony and surveillance footage indicated Birdseye threatened employees with the firearm, forced them into secured areas, stole large amounts of cash, and used an employee as a hostage while escorting him from the casino.
Birdseye was taken into custody shortly after the incident in the nearby Oxbow area.
Court documents say, at the time of his arrest, Birdseye waived his Miranda Rights and admitted he committed the robbery because he was desperate and in debt.
“The jurors devoted significant time and attention to this case and were asked to carefully consider extensive evidence, surveillance footage, and witness testimony,” said Prosecutor Lynn Deddens. “The jury’s attention to detail and commitment to reaching a fair verdict after hearing extensive testimony and evidence is sincerely appreciated.”
Sentencing is scheduled for August 4 at 10:15 a.m. before Dearborn Circuit Judge F. Aaron Negangard.
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Accused Casino Robber “Desperate and in Debt”
Casino Armed Robbery Suspect Arrested
