A second suspect involved in an alleged incident at a casino in Greene County was recently arrested.

According to court documents, 59-year-old Shelly Esquer of Fort Dodge was playing a slot machine on December 30, 2022 at Wild Rose Casino in Jefferson when she won a jackpot of $3,898. Esquer asked 51-year-old John Cook of Fort Dodge to switch places with her and claim the winnings. Cook then filled out an IRS W-9 form, which certified the winnings under penalty of perjury. Court documents show surveillance video was reviewed by the assigned Division of Criminal Investigation agent to the casino and saw that Esquer won the jackpot.

Esquer then told casino staff she forgot her identification in her vehicle and left the property and neither she nor Cook came back. Court documents show on January 3rd, the woman returned to the casino to claim the winnings and when Esquer’s information was run through the Iowa Department of Administrative Services Offset Program, she owed the state of Iowa $6,961. The entire jackpot was used to pay part of her debt. 

Esquer was charged with two Class D Felonies for gambling-avoid setoff and second degree fraudulent practice. She was arrested this past weekend and booked into the Greene County Jail. Cook was charged with the same offenses and was arrested earlier this month.

Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you more information as it becomes official.