Tribal Police say two blackjack players conspired with three dealers to cheat Mohegan Sun out of more than $100,000 in 2018.

The conspirators used a variety of cheating methods, according to an arrest warrant affidavit written by Mohegan Tribal Police Detective John Graves.

The dealers allegedly paid players for "push" hands, or ties in which no money is won or lost; allowed players to "cap" winning bets by adding chips after the outcome was known; allowed "past posting," or placement of wagers after betting has closed; and paid the players for losing wagers.

Three of the five people named in the court documents have been charged to date, according to court records.

Player Victor Jesus Garcia, 36, of Yonkers, N.Y., and former dealers Darius J. Rook, 22, of Norwich and Aneesah Ahmad, 24, of Montville have been charged with committing first-degree larceny, first-degree larceny and cheating at gambling. They have all pleaded not guilty and have cases pending in New London Superior Court or Superior Court in Norwich.

The warrant affidavit indicates player Anthony Donofrio, 27, and dealer Winfred Dixon, 21, also cheated.

The investigation began on May 18, 2018, when the casino surveillance department began a review of dealer error involving Garcia and Dixon. As the investigation continued, it revealed the involvement of Donofrio, Rook and Ahmad, according to the affidavit.

Garcia allegedly cheated with all three dealers for a total loss to the casino of $83,850, according to the affidavit. Donofrio cheated with Rook and Dixon for a total of $20,525, according to police.

Some of the illegal bets involved the Match The Dealer and Super 4 side wagers offer offered to blackjack dealers.

In the main blackjack game, players seek to draw cards totaling 21 or come closer to 21 than the dealer without exceeding 21. 

Match The Dealer is a side bet in which the player bets that one or both of the first two cards they are dealt will match the dealer's up card. Winning wagers are paid out depending on whether they match numerically or by suit or both. 

The Super 4 bet is a progressive jackpot in which payout amounts are increased as bets are placed. The jackpot is activated when the dealer has a blackjack, or two cards that add up to 21. The dealer's two cards and the player's first two cards are added up to make a poker hand.

Garcia was initially charged with fourth-degree larceny. According to the affidavit, surveillance staff were monitoring a blackjack table in the Earth Casino on May 19, 2018, when they observed Rook twice placing $200 Match The Dealer bets after betting had closed. He was paid $800 in both cases, according to the warrant. When Rook went on a break and was relieved by another dealer, the relief dealer immediately noticed a "past posted" bet and notified a floor supervisor. Play was halted, and Mohegan Tribal Police approached the table and arrested Garcia. Rook was removed from the table and questioned, and other people at the table were identified, including Donofrio.

At the time, the scope of the larceny was not fully known, according to the warrant. The investigation ultimately uncovered incidents dating back to April 26, 2018, and police lodged additional charges against him.

k.florin@theday.com