Nevada: Ex-Gold Ranch bartender sentenced to prison for "inside job" casino robbery

Ex-Gold Ranch bartender sentenced to prison for "inside job" casino robbery
Written by Jaclyn O'Malley

A 30-year-old former casino bartender on Friday was sentenced to a term of up to 20 years in prison for providing “inside information” and the key to the vault to his friend who robbed a Verdi casino manager at gunpoint of more than $190,000.

Edward Lozano of Reno apologized, and told Washoe District Judge Perry that his April crime was “out of character.”

Perry sentenced him to two consecutive prison terms for the conviction of robbery with a deadly weapon. He ruled Lozano has to serve at least four years of his 20-year term before he is eligible for parole.

Joshua Kimball — Lozano’s friend who committed the actual robbery of Terrible’s Gold Ranch Casino while Lozano distracted a security guard — was sentenced earlier by Perry to a term of six to 20 years in prison.

Authorities said Lozano and Kimball blew threw about $31,000 of the stolen money in the three days before they were arrested on hotel suites, “clubbing,” clothing, cell phones and on tipping nightclub staff. Lozano had also used the money to purchase a diamond engagement ring for his girlfriend.

Deputy District Attorney Derek Dreiling said about $140,000 was found in Kimbell’s storage shed and given back to the casino. The men have to pay their share of the $31,000 in restitution.

Dreiling said Lozano provided Kimbell the key to the vault and texted him when there were no customers and there was a skeleton staff crew. Kimbell, while wearing a ski mask, put a gun to a casino manager’s head after he used the key to get inside a cash cage, Dreiling said.

That manager and other employees told Perry on Friday how the incident caused an atmosphere of workplace fear and betrayal by Lozano.

Dreiling said he hoped the sentence would send a message to others that those who plan and assist the commission of crimes will also be held accountable.