Iowa Judge Sentences Magician Fraudster to 10 Years in Prison
Introduction to the Case
Recently, an Iowa judge handed down a 10-year prison sentence to Shaun Benward, a magician who deceived casino staff across the United States and fraudulently claimed thousands of dollars in winnings. Known by the nickname “Shaun Mistery,” Benward managed to evade capture by authorities for several years before being apprehended in April 2025.
Arrest and Investigation Details
Benward was arrested in Mississippi and subsequently transferred to Iowa for trial. The investigation into his activities began back in 2018 when it was discovered that he had tampered with employees at the Grand Falls Casino in Larchwood to unlawfully obtain $10,000.
Authorities revealed that Benward cleverly avoided detection by frequently changing his outfits and using different casino tellers to cash out. He also strategically withdrew smaller amounts to stay below the IRS reporting threshold.
In November 2025, the 38-year-old was found guilty of 13 felony charges related to his fraudulent schemes. He has already served 12 months in prison, which will be credited towards his sentence.
Methods of Deception
Benward’s scheme involved gaining the trust of casino personnel at various roulette tables. Once the game was underway, he would place bets and then claim that his chips were misplaced, convincing staff to compensate him unlawfully. At times, an accomplice would assist in making the con more convincing.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety reported that Benward successfully avoided capture for seven years while facing convictions for similar offenses in multiple states, including Pennsylvania, Delaware, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Indiana, and Rhode Island.
Nevada also experienced his fraudulent activities with several roulette scams, leading the state Gaming Control Board to place him on their Black Book in 2023, banning him from all casinos within Nevada.
Previous Legal Issues
In 2022, Benward was apprehended by Pittsburgh police along with a partner for an attempted fraud involving $10,000 at the Rivers Casino. He pled guilty to casino cheating charges, resulting in the case being dismissed on the condition of parole and a $10,500 restitution payment.
However, Benward later violated his probation terms.
