ST. PAUL, Minn. – A scheme to steal nearly $200,000 in charitable gambling funds has led to the arrest of eight men.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement (AGE) division primarily targeted pull tab charitable gambling funds from bars and restaurants in the Twin Cities Metro Area and greater Minnesota. The businesses were using pull tabs to raise money for youth sports programs, veterans’ organizations and other community activities. The eight men allegedly involved are facing 44 felony charges of second-degree burglary, attempted second-degree burglary, and theft for stealing $197,694.
“When you’re paying to open up a pull tab, you don’t want your money ending up in criminal hands,” says AGE Director Carla Cincotta. “These alleged criminals weren’t just stealing money — they were stealing from kids, from families, from veterans and from programs that build stronger communities. Thanks to the solid investigative work of our agency and law enforcement partners, we stopped this group in their tracks.”
AGE says its 14-month investigation discovered that Arron Scott King Sr., 50 of St. Paul, led the co-defendants and others in the racketeering scheme based out of his home. The suspects are accused of breaking into safes that contained cash from pull tab sales meant to fund charitable activities. The criminal activity allegedly occurred between March 6, 2023, and Feb. 22, 2024.
Besides Arron King Sr., the other men charged are:
– Sean Charles Fikes, 48 of Minneapolis
– Jawan Edward Jackson, 34 of Hugo
– Aaron Scot King Jr., 26 of St. Paul
– Dale Anthony Massie Jr., 50 of St. Paul
– Emondre James Morrison, 28 of West St. Paul
– Tyler Nicholas Paananen-Berneche, 31 of Newport
– Cory Jay Rosillo, 54 of Mankato
King allegedly communicated the burglary targets to his accomplices, who would then case or obtain information on the target businesses. Investigators say they used tools such as pry bars and sledgehammers to break into buildings and access pull tab booths and safes.
The stolen funds were for charitable activities including the:
– American Legion organizations in communities such as Howard Lake and Stillwater
– Champlin-Dayton Athletic Association
– Eastview Hockey Association
– Elk River Lions Club
– Hopkins Raspberry Association
– Irish Football Boosters
– Jefferson Athletic Foundation
– Monticello Youth Hockey Program
– Rogers Youth Hockey Association
– Roseville Youth Hockey Association
– Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4210 Forest Lake
AGE says it was assisted in this investigation by:
· Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement (AGE), a Minnesota Department of Public Safety division
· Apple Valley Police Department
· Blaine Police Department
· Bloomington Police Department
· Carver County Sheriff’s Office
· Centennial Lakes Police Department
· Corcoran Police Department
· Eagan Police Department
· Elk River Police Department
· Golden Valley Police Department
· Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office
· High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program
· Hopkins Police Department
· Howard Lake Police Department
· Mendota Heights Police Department
· MSP Airport Police
· Minneapolis Police Department
· New Brighton Police Department
· North St. Paul Police Department
· Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office
· Rochester Police Department
· Rosemount Police Department
· St. Louis Park Police Department
· St. Paul Police Department
· Woodbury Police Department
· Wright County Sheriff’s Office
To read the criminal complaints in this case, download the zip files below.