BILLINGS – A Billings man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for robbing an area casino in Feb. 2018.
Antonio Francisco Gutierrez, 36, was found guilty in the armed robbery of Dotty’s Casino and sentenced to 10 years in prison, five years of supervised release and ordered to pay $3,424 restitution, according to a press release.
Prosecutors said Gutierrez asked Christopher Esrey, a co-defendant in the case, to drive him to the Dotty’s Casino near Shiloh Road to “get some money.”
Documents state that the two arrived at the casino shortly before midnight on Feb 5, 2018. Esrey waited in the car while Gutierrez went inside the casino wearing a hood, hat, and facemask.
Gutierrez than allegedly pushed the buzzer to have a casino attendant open the door. She told him to remove the clothing covering his face before she would unlock the inner doors.
The release states that Gutierrez acted as though he was going to remove the items, but as soon as the door was opened he stopped. Gutierrez then took a pistol from his pocket, cocked it and pointed it at the casino attendants back.
The attendant, who was pregnant at the time, complied with Gutierrez’s request for her to empty the till.
After taking the money, Gutierrez got back into the vehicle and drove away. Billings Police officers were able to locate the two at another casino.
Esrey pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact and was sentenced to 15 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
