Buffalo Run Bandit Arraigned

'Gentleman bandit' is arraigned in casino theft
A self-described "gentleman bandit" was arraigned Thursday in federal court in Tulsa after being charged with stealing $8,700 from a Miami, Okla., casino.

Leslie Reeser Stroman, 57, is accused of handing a Buffalo Run Casino cashier a note demanding about $10,000 in "large bills" on Sunday afternoon.

According to an affidavit filed in the case, Stroman mentioned in the note that he was not armed and concluded his message by signing off as "the Gentleman Bandit, thank you and I'll be on my way."

That "way" turned out to be brief. The cashier pushed the "panic button" at her station before handing Stroman all of the $100 bills in her cash drawer, and tribal security and other law enforcement officers arrested Stroman before he left the property, according to the affidavit.

Prosecutors filed the charge earlier this week, and Stroman waived his right to have his case presented to a federal grand jury.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Shores said Stroman likely will face 15 months to two years in prison if he follows through on his announced plan to plead guilty.

- David Harper, World staff writer