A man accused of manipulating slot machines at Northern Quest Resort & Casino has been sentenced after reaching a plea deal with prosecutors, bringing an unusual gambling-related case to a close.
Court Accepts Plea Deal in Casino Machine Manipulation Case
The defendant, 33-year-old Jeremiah Villegas, admitted guilt to reduced charges that included a misdemeanor count tied to unlawful gambling practices and a felony burglary offense. The latter stemmed from his repeated presence at the casino despite a long-term ban issued by the property, as reported by The Spokesman-Review.
The ruling was delivered at the Spokane County Superior Court, where the judge accepted the agreement negotiated between the defense and prosecution. As part of the decision, Villegas received credit for three weeks already spent in custody, which satisfied his sentence.
During proceedings, his attorney indicated that her client acknowledged his actions and chose not to contest the charges. Villegas himself declined to address the court…