Peppermill Casino’s Facial Recognition Error Leads to Wrongful Arrest and Lawsuit
Misidentification at Peppermill Casino Causes Trouble for Truck Driver
Jason Killinger, a long-haul truck driver, encountered a distressing incident at Peppermill Casino in Reno, Nevada. In 2023, the casino’s facial recognition technology mistakenly identified Killinger as a banned individual, triggering a cascade of events that would lead to his wrongful arrest.
Facial Recognition Mistake Results in Detention
The casino’s system flagged Killinger as a person who had previously been prohibited from entering the premises due to disruptive behavior. Security personnel detained Killinger without much explanation. Later, a newly appointed police officer informed him that he had violated a restraining order linked to the individual he was mistaken for. Despite showing multiple forms of identification to verify his true identity, Killinger was accused of using fraudulent documents and was taken into custody.
Physical Harm and Legal Action Against Police Officer
During his arrest, Killinger suffered shoulder pain and bruises. These injuries have become central to a lawsuit he has filed against the arresting officer, R. Jager, who reportedly doubted Killinger’s identity and allegedly provided false statements to discredit the identification documents presented.
Verification Clears Killinger, Casino Settles Out of Court
Ultimately, Killinger’s fingerprints were compared against official databases, confirming his true identity and leading to his release. Following this incident, Peppermill Casino opted to settle with Killinger for an undisclosed amount, acknowledging the error caused by their technology.
Lawsuit Focuses on Officer’s Conduct
The ongoing lawsuit targets Officer Jager for purportedly fabricating evidence and making contradictory claims. Killinger contends that the officer accused him without justification, alleging collusion with a DMV employee to forge his driver’s license—an accusation Killinger denies. The lawsuit also notes that Jager failed to report Killinger’s eventual clearance after fingerprint verification.
