Suspect in $1.28 Million Boonville Casino Robbery Pleads Guilty to Separate Illinois Charges
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Hollis Vanleer Jr., the 20-year-old suspect accused in the audacious March 25 armed robbery of the Isle of Capri Casino in Boonville, Missouri, has reached a plea agreement in a separate criminal case in Illinois.
On Thursday, July 9, 2026, Vanleer pleaded guilty in McLean County court to charges related to vehicle theft. He was sentenced to three years in prison, with credit given for time already served while in custody.
Background on the Missouri Case
Vanleer remains a key figure in the investigation into the March 25 heist at the Isle of Capri Casino, where approximately $1.28 million was stolen. Authorities allege that Vanleer and a co-conspirator, 21-year-old Benjamin Charles—who was an employee at the casino at the time—orchestrated the robbery using diversionary explosives to gain access to the main cash drawer.
According to court documents and previous law enforcement statements:
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The Robbery: The suspects entered the casino armed with an AR-15-style rifle and a handgun. During their escape, they were confronted by a patron who tackled one of the suspects. Vanleer allegedly assaulted the patron to facilitate their flight.
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The Escape: The pair fled the scene in a Ford Taurus, which was later found abandoned in Howard County. Inside, investigators discovered a receipt linked to a credit card belonging to Charles, which helped law enforcement break the case.
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The Arrest: Charles was apprehended shortly after the robbery in March and remains in the Cooper County Jail. Vanleer managed to evade capture for several months until he was finally detained by police in Bloomington, Illinois, on June 24 following a traffic stop.
What Comes Next
Vanleer is currently held in the McLean County Jail. While he has resolved his pending Illinois charges, he still faces severe felony counts in Missouri, including first-degree robbery, armed criminal action, and first-degree assault.
Law enforcement officials have indicated that Vanleer will face extradition to Missouri to stand trial for his alleged role in the casino robbery once his Illinois legal matters are fully concluded.
