South Dakota Casino Clerk Sexually Assaulted After Robbery, Suspect Nabbed

Posted on: June 21, 2023, 12:48h. 

Last updated on: June 22, 2023, 10:16h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More
Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

A Sioux Falls, South Dakota man was arrested on seven charges this week. That’s after he allegedly robbed the city’s Aces Casino and sexually assaulted an employee at the property.

A Sioux Falls police SUV
A Sioux Falls police SUV, pictured above. Police arrested a man for allegedly robbing a casino and sexually assaulting an employee there. (Image: Matt’s Photo Collection)

Marian Brooks, 36, walked into the South Cliff Avenue gaming property with his shirt pulled up over his face at about 11 p.m. Tuesday, according to Dakota News Now.

A 52-year-old female clerk was in a back room and heard a knock on the door. She opened the door because she thought the visitor was a patron. But as Brooks approached, he aimed a firearm at her and demanded money, police said.

She gave him an undisclosed amount of casino cash but instead of fleeing immediately, he allegedly threw the woman to the floor and sexually assaulted her.

Brooks then fled the scene before the victim called local police and described her assailant. Police checked the casino’s surveillance video and developed a description of Brooks, who was located at about 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday near 8th Street and South Indiana Avenue.

When police officers searched him, they found a handgun tucked into his waistband.

The victim was treated by physicians following the attack and didn’t suffer any serious physical injuries, according to Sioux Falls’ Argus Leader.

Stolen Firearm

The firearm discovered in Brooks’ possession was stolen last Friday from an unlocked car at a Caroline Avenue hotel, police said.

Brooks was charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree rape, two counts of aggravated grand theft (for the cash and stolen gun), possession of a firearm by a former violent offender, committing a felony with a firearm, and aggravated assault.

If found guilty on the charges, Brooks, who has a “long criminal history,” according to Sioux Falls TV station KELO, faces prison sentences of many years.

Anti-Theft Campaign

The casino robbery and gun theft comes after Sioux Falls approved a new initiative to prevent thefts related to unlocked cars.

On Tuesday, the Sioux Falls City Council okayed $50K that will be used for an awareness campaign by the Sioux Falls Police Department to encourage residents to keep their cars locked.

In 2022, local police received 1,361 reports of stolen vehicles. Police spokesman Sam Clemens said 90% of those thefts took place after someone left keys in the car, the Argus Leader reported.

Many times, weapons are left in cars and later stolen.

“We know that people look for guns in unlocked cars,” Clemens added. “They find those guns; they commit other crimes with them.”