News

August 27, 2010

Guilty plea lodged over casino gun

Anthony Mope accepted a reduced charge after leaving a loaded gun in a restroom.

By Edward Lewis elewis@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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PLAINS TWP. – A Hazleton man accused of leaving a loaded firearm in a men’s room at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs casino pleaded guilty to a reduced charge on Thursday.

Anthony Mope, 80, of Thirwell Street, pleaded guilty to a summary charge of disorderly conduct during a preliminary hearing before District Judge Diana Malast. He paid a $437 fine.

State police gaming enforcement unit withdrew a misdemeanor charge of reckless endangerment against Mope.

According to the criminal complaint:

A casino employee cleaning restrooms found a firearm on the back of a toilet at about 3:40 p.m. July 3. State police said the gun, a .45-caliber, had a full magazine with a round in its chamber.

It was traced by its serial number to Mope. A trooper obtained a picture of Mope, who was found near the casino’s food court at about 5 p.m.

Mope told state police he used the men’s room and removed the weapon from its holster. He placed it on the back of a toilet, and forgot it when he left the restroom.

State police said a review of players club information revealed Mope playing slot machines in the area of the restroom. He was recorded by surveillance cameras entering the men’s room at 2:31 p.m. and leaving three minutes later.

Surveillance cameras recorded 28 people entering the men’s room from 2:34 p.m. to 3:40 p.m., when a casino employee found the gun.

State police said the firearm could have been picked up by anyone who found it, including a person not permitted to possess one.

Mope told state police he was unaware that firearms are prohibited in casinos.

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