A master of deception, known by aliases like “Shaun Mistery,” has finally met his match. The Mississippi illusionist, who spent years exploiting casino vulnerabilities across the country, will spend the next ten years in prison.
Judge Carl Petersen delivered the sentence on Tuesday, ordering 38-year-old Shaun Joseph Benward to serve a decade for a meticulously planned scheme. The conviction stems from activity at a Larchwood, Iowa casino, but represents only a chapter in a long history of fraudulent behavior.
A jury found Benward guilty of multiple felony gaming charges, concluding he deliberately targeted casino procedures for personal gain. He didn’t rely on luck; he relied on manipulation and a calculated understanding of how to exploit the system.
Benward’s scheme involved securing over $10,000 in improper payouts from the Grand Falls Casino. He cleverly avoided IRS reporting requirements by breaking down larger transactions into smaller ones, a tactic requiring costume changes and rotating tellers to remain undetected.
The charges included five counts each of Money Laundering and Cheating at Gambling Games, alongside one count of Conspiracy to Commit a Felony. Investigators began to unravel his deception in December 2018, after witnessing his cheating firsthand.
What started as a single observation quickly escalated into a full-scale investigation, revealing a pattern of behavior designed to outsmart both casino staff and federal regulations. He wasn’t simply gambling; he was orchestrating a complex fraud.
This Iowa conviction wasn’t an isolated incident. Records reveal a decade-long trail of similar offenses, stretching from Pennsylvania to Missouri, and painting a picture of a seasoned con artist.
In 2015, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board barred Benward from their casinos after uncovering a cheating scheme. He also pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, marking his first official clash with gaming regulators.
Missouri regulators documented further incidents, including surveillance footage showing Benward altering wagers *after* game outcomes were known. He was also caught allegedly pocketing chips during distracted moments, walking away with more cash than he presented.
These actions led to his expulsion from numerous casinos across Missouri, including Lumière Place and Harrah’s North Kansas City. Ultimately, he was permanently banned from all riverboat gaming facilities in the state.
Despite the mounting evidence and bans, Benward remained free for several years after the 2018 Iowa incident. He was finally apprehended in Mississippi in April 2025, facing outstanding warrants related to the Iowa case.
The investigation, led by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s Special Enforcement Operations Bureau, underscores the commitment to protecting the integrity of the gaming industry. It serves as a warning: even the most elaborate illusions can be exposed.
