Police Sergeant to Stand Trial in Michigan for Ethnic Intimidation of Casino Security

Posted on: June 27, 2024, 11:20h. 

Last updated on: June 27, 2024, 11:49h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

A former police sergeant with the Westland Police Department will stand trial on ethnic intimidation, assault, and battery charges stemming from an incident that occurred at the MGM Grand Detroit casino in April 2023.

Michigan MGM Grand Detroit police Kevin Yudt
Former police sergeant Kevin Yudt will stand trial on allegations that he threatened and assaulted MGM Grand Detroit casino security members during a visit to the property on April 6, 2023. Yudt was denied access after security determined he was intoxicated. (Image: Westland Police Department/Casino.org)

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office announced Wednesday that former Westland Police Sgt. Kevin Yudt, 42, of Grass Lake, was bound over to stand trial after a preliminary hearing this week.

Yudt is charged with two felony counts of ethnic intimidation, which each carry prison terms of up to two years, and two misdemeanor counts of assault and battery. The misdemeanor charges each carry up to 93-day prison sentences.

On April 6, 2023, Yudt was denied access to the MGM casino after arriving at the property seemingly intoxicated. Yudt allegedly identified himself as a Westland police sergeant and threatened the casino security workers.

“I’ll be waiting for you when you come to Westland and you will not survive,” Yudt allegedly said.

Officer’s Fall From Grace

Nessel’s release on the case moving to trial included allegations that Yudt poked two MGM security officers in the chest and shouted racial slurs at the pair. The Westland Police Department terminated Yudt the following month.

My office takes allegations of ethnic intimidation and assault very seriously and will prosecute offenders to the fullest extent of the law,” Nessel.

Yudt is scheduled to appear in Michigan’s Third Circuit Court in Wayne County on Tuesday, July 9, at 9 a.m. Yudt remains free on a $30K bond.

Yudt’s bad night has cost him his job, a quick downfall from previously being recognized for his public service in the line of duty.

In 2018, he was bestowed the “Lifesaving Award” from the Westland Police Department, an honor that recognizes police officers who assisted in the saving of a life. In December of that year, local media picked up a story involving Yudt taking elementary students on a holiday shopping trip in part of Westland’s annual “Shop With a Hero” event.

State Stresses Responsibly Play 

A pillar of responsible gambling is to play only when sober and free from drugs and alcohol. The Michigan Gaming Control Board tweeted Thursday that gambling problems “can affect men and women, young and old, of all backgrounds, ethnicities, and lifestyles.”

The MGCB wrote five rules to follow to promote responsible participation, with one of the pinpoints being to refrain from alcohol consumption before or while gambling. Players are also encouraged to set time and financial loss limits, to never gamble on credit, and to only use disposable income.

MGM Grand is one of three commercial casinos in Detroit with MotorCity Casino Hotel and Hollywood Casino at Greektown. MGM is the largest gaming floor of the three with nearly 2,500 slot machines, 160 live dealer table games, and a BetMGM Sportsbook.

In 2023, MGM Grand generated gross gaming revenue of $564 million from its slots and tables. MotorCity was second at $373.5 million and Hollywood was third at $285.2 million.