Yesterday, a Humboldt County jury found 29-year-old Aubrey Ross guilty of second-degree robbery of Cher-Ae Heights Casino on November 17, 2016.
Surveillance video showed a masked, hooded person jumping a counter in the casino while wielding what appeared to be a handgun. The person held a casino employee at gun point and forced him to fill a backpack with tens of thousands of dollars from the casino vault before fleeing.
Mr. Ross, a former casino employee who had walked off the job the night before, was identified as a suspect when he returned to the scene about an hour after the robbery. Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department investigators found Mr. Ross’ DNA on a mask discarded on the side of the road near the casino. The backpack used in the robbery and $27,000 in cash was found in Mr. Ross’ room.
After Mr. Ross posted $200,000 bail, the case was delayed multiple times primarily due to changes in defense attorneys. Covid-related restrictions further delayed the case. Mr. Ross was remanded into custody following yesterday’s verdict.
Judge Hinrichs is scheduled to sentence Mr. Ross on February 9, 2023. He faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Deputy District Attorney Luke Bernthal prosecuted the case with the assistance of Senior District Attorney Investigator Steve Dunn. Private attorney Andrea Sullivan represented Mr. Ross.