Mark Joseph Heltzel, a Dallas native, would then use the added funds to play slot machines within the casino and pocketed an estimated $419,000 in winnings.
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Following Crane’s tipoff, casino investigators studied surveillance footage of Heltzel’s activities, which showed him using multiple player reward cards, none of which were in his name, on three different occasions over a single week.
Poszeluznyj’s bail was set at $100,000 unsecured, and while she left with her freedom intact, she did not leave quietly.
But attorneys got into a heated exchange during Heltzel’s hearing after Assistant District Attorney Tom Marsilio said prosecutors were OK with Heltzel posting 10 percent of bail but that they would leave the amount to the judge.
“Mr. Heltzel and I were given the opportunity to go to a bank to secure money for his 10 percent cash bail”, Fannick said. Spagnuolo, however, said he set bail at $500,000 due to the severity of the charges and Heltzel’s flight risk.
The state police Bureau of Gaming says Poszeluznyj would collect players’ casino cards and PIN numbers when they paid for drinks.
The review determined the scheme was in operation from May 2014 through April 2015 and included $478,100 in free gaming credits that generated $418,793 in winnings, including four jackpot wins of $2,000 each, police said. Pellegrini added fraudulent free slots play to the duplicates and gave them to Heltzel to play at the machines, according to court documents.
Heltzel split his money with his two co-conspirators at the Plains Township casino.
When the state trooper confronted Heltzel, he stated “I’m sorry” and admitted to capping his bet twice, the complaint says. “This is a theft case!” He added that the investigation is ongoing, and said that additional arrests could be made. Pellegrini is scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday.
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Preliminary hearings for Heltzel and Poszeluznyj have been scheduled for February 1 before Spagnuolo.
