Accused Boonville casino robbers indicted by federal grand jury

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The men accused of stealing $1.28 million from the Isle of Capri Casino in Boonville earlier this year have been indicted by a federal grand jury, the Department of Justice announced in a Thursday press release.

Benjamin Michael-Dass Charles, 22, of Columbia, was charged with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, interfering with commerce by committing a robbery and pulling out a gun during a violent crime. He is being held at the Cooper County Jail on a $1 million cash or surety bond or a $250,000 cash bond.

Hollis Cortez Vanleer, 20, is charged with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, interfering with commerce by committing a robbery, pulling out a gun during a violent crime and being a felon with a gun.

The pair, who were carrying guns when they entered the casino on March 25, allegedly took about $1.28 million from the main money drawer and that a patron had tackled one of the men, previous reporting from court documents shows. Vanleer hit the patron before the pair got away in a Ford Taurus, court documents in previous reporting say.

The Ford was later abandoned in Howard County. Law enforcement found a receipt in the vehicle and were able to determine a card used in the purchase belonged to Charles, who was also determined to be an employee at the casino, the statement says. He was arrested the day after the robbery.

Vanleer was eventually detained his hometown of Bloomington, Illinois, on June 24 during a traffic stop, according to previous reporting.