Man And Woman Arrested And Jailed After Allegedly Being Caught In Casino Swindling Scheme

ST. CROIX — The Virgin Islands Police Department’s Economic Crime Unit on Friday arrested a man and woman, who had allegedly teamed up to swindle money from the Divi Carina Bay Casino, V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Glen Dratte announced on Saturday.

Police first arrested the male suspect, 49-year-old Wayne Scott at about 12:49 p.m. in Estate Slob located in mid-island. About 5:48 p.m. the same day, they arrested the female suspect, 27-year-old Carissa Felix, a former dealer at the Divi Carina Bay Casino.

According to the release, in August, detectives from the Economic Crime Unit (E.C.U.) initiated an investigation after the casino reported that Ms. Felix, who was a dealer at the gambling house at the time, was setting the deck of cards in Mississippi Stud Poker to favor Mr. Scott and thereby intentionally giving him advantageous hands.

Both suspects were charged with four counts of swindling and cheating and four counts of obtaining money by false pretense. Ms. Felix saw an additional charge of soliciting or accepting tips, according to the release.

They both were remanded to the Golden Grove Detention Center pending their advise-of-rights hearing, after failing to make bail of $35,000 each.

Mr. Dratte said the Criminal Investigation Bureau and the Homicide Task force are actively moving on all cases, and they continue to request the community’s assistance in bringing criminals to justice. Residents are encouraged to call the E.C.U. on St. Croix at 340 773 2266 and on St. Thomas at 340 774 3942.

Or, if you believe that your tip may lead to an arrest and would like a monetary reward (tipsters have been paid up to $5,000), then share your tip with Crime Stoppers USVI, where your information remains anonymous. The service is so clandestine that if your tip nets an arrest, Crime Stoppers USVI will even drop the money off to a location of your choosing — without you ever having to reveal your identity.

Feature Image: From left to right: Carissa Felix and Wayne Scott. (Credit: VIPD)