Alleged Boonville casino robber pleads not guilty in first court appearance

BOONVILLE, Mo. (KMIZ)

EDITOR'S NOTE: AI was used in background research for this article

One of the men accused of robbing the Isle of Capri Casino in Boonville last week pleaded not guilty at his first court appearance Tuesday.

Benjamin Michael-Dass Charles, 21, of Columbia, appeared by video feed from the Cooper County Jail. Charles is charged with first-degree robbery, armed criminal action and tampering with evidence.

Authorities are still searching for a second suspect, 20-year-old Hollis Vanleer Jr. of Normal, Illinois, who faces charges of first-degree robbery, armed criminal action and first-degree assault.

Court documents state the robbery happened on March 25, when Charles and Vanleer entered the casino armed with guns. They allegedly took $1.28 million from the main bank drawer and placed the cash into a black duffel bag.

During the incident, a casino patron attempted to tackle one of the men who was carrying an AR-15-style rifle. The second suspect struck the patron, allowing both men to escape, the statement says.

The Missouri Gaming Commission identified Charles as an employee of the Isle of Capri Casino. Charles allegedly admitted to investigators that the robbery had been planned for one month. He also claimed to have purchased homemade explosives from an unidentified individual to use as a distraction during the heist. Authorities have not yet located the stolen $1.28 million.

Charles is being held in the Cooper County Jail on a $1.3 million bond.