Mississippi Illusionist Gets Decade In Iowa Prison After Years Of Cheating Casinos

A self-proclaimed illusionist from Mississippi who spent years working casino floors under false names, including “Shaun Mistery,” will now serve a decade in prison.

On Tuesday (February 10), Judge Carl Petersen sentenced 38-year-old Shaun Joseph Benward to 10 years in prison concurrently. The Lyon County sentence includes credit for nearly a year in detention while the case was pending.

In November 2025, a jury found Benward guilty of a range of felony gaming offenses stemming from his activities at Grand Falls Casino in Larchwood. Prosecutors claimed the case revolved around a deliberate attempt to manipulate casino procedures for personal gain…

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