Life in prison sought for Las Vegas chip thief.
In Las Vegas, the infamous Chip Thief is heading back to prison. This time, it's a 66-year-old American named William Ferguson, who's accused of stealing $20,000 worth of chips from various casinos. The DA wants him to serve a life sentence, but will the court agree?
A Bigger Sentence for the Chip Thief
William Ferguson, the Chip Thief, is no stranger to the legal system. Convicted of grand larceny in April, he's been caught stealing chips from casinos like New York-New York, Palms, Binions, Golden Nugget, and Wynn Las Vegas. His prison sentence? Around 20 years, with his earliest possible release date being 2029. That means he'll spend at least 8 years behind bars.
Repeat Offender Deserves Harsh Penalty?
Critics argue that the sentence is too harsh. Stealing chips is generally viewed as a less serious offense legally. But Ferguson is considered a 'confirmed' repeat offender. During his trial, he displayed no remorse and even denied the charges, claiming to be a victim of a conspiracy.
Untrustworthy Habit
With over two decades spent in prison, Ferguson has hardly spent any time outside prison without being arrested. He's repetitively stolen chips from casinos since the 90s. His longest stint in court came in 2012, when the Las Vegas Review Journal reported on him. Back then, he was accused of stealing chips worth $180,000 from 14 different casinos.
Reduction in Sentence Denied
The defense team tried to reduce the sentence, stating that Ferguson never deposited the chips in a casino. The damage incurred was controllable and he wasn't a threat to the Nevada economy. However, the prosecution disagreed. Most likely, he'll never quit his habit of stealing chips from casinos, making the 8-year sentence seem justifiable.
The actual amount Ferguson needs to pay to the victims will be decided in the next few weeks. And we can bet he's not looking forward to that.
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
