A former poker dealer is suspected of helping plan an armed robbery at an invite-only poker game in North Dakota that saw six players held at gunpoint and approximately $2,500 stolen.
Two brothers, Jackson James Dubois, 22, of Fargo, and Delton Robledo Dubois, 20, of West Fargo, have been charged in connection with the August 28 robbery.
According to charging documents reported by local news outlet Valley News Live, three masked men entered a building on Northern Pacific Avenue in Fargo while a private poker game was taking place.
The six players were ordered to the floor at gunpoint before the robbers allegedly took wallets, cell phones and cash from the poker table.
One of the players told investigators that a gun was placed against the back of his head during the robbery.
Former Poker Dealer Suspected of Involvement
The investigation took an unusual turn when players pointed police towards someone who already knew the game.
According to the charging documents, witnesses suspected a former dealer who had previously worked at the private poker game.
The dealer had reportedly been fired after being intoxicated while working and was known to have previously brought other people to the game, including Jackson Dubois.
Investigators subsequently discovered text messages between Jackson and the former dealer.
The messages allegedly included discussions about “making money” in the days before the robbery, along with further messages authorities believe related to the alleged plan.
The former dealer has not been publicly identified in the reporting reviewed by Poker Type, and the available charging information does not indicate that he has been charged.
It is another unusual case involving someone working around a poker table becoming the subject of a criminal investigation. In August, Poker Type reported on a poker dealer arrested following a 131-acre California wildfire.
Police Trace Pickup Truck After Poker Robbery
Investigators also appear to have assembled a substantial digital and physical trail following the Fargo robbery.
Security footage from private cameras and traffic cameras reportedly showed a black pickup truck with distinctive chrome trim that police connected to Delton Dubois.
A search of the vehicle allegedly uncovered ski masks, gloves, dark clothing, an empty trash bag and a bank deposit receipt.
Two cell phones taken from players during the robbery were later recovered close to an address associated with Jackson Dubois’ former girlfriend.
Jackson reportedly told investigators that he had spent the evening on FaceTime with his girlfriend.
However, authorities allege that cell phone location data placed him in the area of the robbery when it happened.
Police also searched Delton’s apartment and reportedly discovered three ammunition magazines inside a safe. A firearm was subsequently recovered when investigators executed a search warrant at Jackson’s residence.
The evidence and allegations described in the charging documents have not yet been tested at trial.
Third Man Allegedly Got “Cold Feet”
The investigation has also identified another person who allegedly knew about the plan.
According to the charging documents, a third unidentified man told investigators that he was aware of the proposed robbery but got “cold feet” and did not enter the building.
He has not been charged.
Jackson and Delton Dubois were arrested on August 31.
Both have been charged in Cass County District Court with robbery involving a firearm, dangerous weapon or destructive device, which is classified as a Class B felony in North Dakota.
The charges are allegations, and both men are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Private Poker Game Targeted for Cash
The circumstances of the robbery highlight one of the security vulnerabilities surrounding private poker games.
Unlike regulated casino poker rooms, an invite-only game can potentially involve significant amounts of cash without the security infrastructure normally found inside a casino.
In this case, the robbers allegedly knew when and where the game was taking place and how to access it.
The alleged involvement of someone who had previously dealt the game is therefore particularly significant.
The total amount reported stolen was approximately $2,500, relatively modest compared with the sums sometimes found in private poker games. However, the six players also had wallets and phones taken, and the allegation that a gun was held against one player’s head makes the seriousness of the incident clear.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed the stakes being played or the identities of the six players.
The case will now proceed through the North Dakota court system, where prosecutors will have to prove the allegations against the two brothers.
For the players involved, what began as an invite-only poker game ended with three masked men allegedly entering the room, ordering everyone onto the floor and disappearing with their money and possessions.
And according to investigators, the people responsible may have known exactly what they would find before they walked through the door.
