Man admits robbing Lucky Lil's Casino

The second of two Kalispell men arrested for the Dec. 1, 2011, robbery of Lucky Lil’s Casino on West Idaho Street pleaded guilty to felony robbery Thursday in Flathead District Court.

Durin a change-of-plea hearing in front of District Judge Katherine Curtis, Jesus Din, 20, admitted robbing a casino runner at gunpoint and fleeing the scene in a vehicle driven by Kyser Nelson, 19.

Din, however, claimed the gun was unloaded and that it was given to him by Nelson, who unloaded it before handing it over. Din also claimed to have given back all the money he got out of the crime.

Officers found and arrested the two when they followed the vehicle back to the Appleway Drive apartments after it left a parking lot near the casino with its headlights off.

Nelson only admitted driving the pair to and from the casino for the purpose of robbing it. He changed his plea to guilty on Feb. 2.

According to the terms of his plea agreement, Din faces five years in prison and five years on probation, but retains the right to argue for a lower sentence. He currently is being held in the Flathead County Detention Center. His sentencing is scheduled for April 12.

Nelson is facing between two and 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000 and is currently released on a cash bond of $5,000. His sentencing is scheduled for March 15.