Gambling Addict Robs Bank to Play at Mystic Lake

Prison for bank robber who laundered dyed cash in Mystic Lake slot machines
Article by: PAUL WALSH , Star Tribune

A day short of one year after his crime, a former St. Cloud State University student has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison for robbing a St. Cloud bank and trying to launder dye-stained cash through casino slot machines.

Salamo Nam Rakotojoelinandrasana, 23, of St. Cloud, was sentenced Wednesday in federal court in Duluth to four years and nine months in prison after admitting that he held up a TCF Bank branch at 200 25th Av. S. of $6,053 on May 5, 2010.

At the time of the robbery, Rakotojoelinandrasana was a junior and enrolled as a half-time student at St. Cloud State, the school said.

According to his plea agreement:

Rakotojoelinandrasana displayed a handgun, demanded money and fled with the cash and a concealed dye pack.

Five days later, Rakotojoelinandrasana was arrested after he was seen inserting dye-stained money into slot machines at Mystic Lake Casino in Prior Lake.

A search of his residence turned up clothing identical to what the robber wore. Officers also found $2,304 in dye-stained cash. An air pistol was recovered from his vehicle.

Police say Rakotojoelinandrasana admitted to FBI agents that he pulled the heist.