The court punishes Naked Bandit’s bizarre behavior during last year’s WSOP
Ken Strauss, the so-called Naked Bandit, has avoided a jail term for the ‘terroristic’ threats he made against Vegas casinos after his WSOP Main Event meltdown last summer…
The court sentenced 45-year old Pittsburgh man Ken Strauss to two years’ probation. Moreover, he could not visit Clark County, nor have any contact with Las Vegas casinos, during his two years’ probation.
Strauss became infamous after he exhibited bizarre behavior at the World Series of Poker Main Event last year.
Strauss started by shoving all-in blind, then dropping his shorts to expose his genitals, and finally throwing a shoe towards the dealer – all caught on camera.
Uhhhhhh what is going on at the #WSOP main event??? Player shoves blind, drops his pants, then throws his shoe on the table 😂 😂 😂(video via @blattsmullet) pic.twitter.com/oHGk5pjlnJ
— Scott Davies (@sdaviespoker) July 5, 2019
After the Rio ejected him and he lost his $10k buy-in, Strauss then went on to perform a similar act of indecency at the Luxor Hotel and Casino. He was again ejected from the premises but not arrested.
The #nakedbandit strikes again. First the Rio, and now a show for everyone at the Luxor. 🙊🤷♂️🤦♂️😮🤔@Joeingram1 @WSOP pic.twitter.com/yxxoopzTsJ
— Jeremy Brown (@JGBrown22) July 6, 2019
The incredible story didn’t end there, however. Ken Strauss, clearly struggling with mental health issues, began a Twitter rant that had people seriously worried.
One tweet read: “Shootings are taking place all over Las Vegas. Please leave me alone @VenetianVegas I have no place to go currently. And all Casinos that have me banned will be destroyed effectively immediately. And @Rio, get my belongings together immediately when @POTUS declares safe I’m going.”
He threatened several other Vegas casinos as well as numerous entertainment venues, apparently targeting professional sports while invoking President Trump along the way.
Wouldn't be surprised if he's planning an attack for this Monday, 7/29. pic.twitter.com/ROHAuy9BAT
— Jonathan Zaun (@JonathanZaun) July 28, 2019
Charges against Ken Strauss
That was enough to have Strauss arrested, but it transpired that police had to follow him from hotel to hotel – the Pittsburgh man’s reported late July timeline increasingly troublesome…
- July 24th: Ken Strauss stayed at the Red Rock Hotel where security staff stated that he “attempted to lure an eight-year-old child while at the pool”.
- The next day: Strauss was forced to leave the Red Rock, moving to the Venetian on the Las Vegas strip.
- July 27th: By the time the Venetian contacted police to report they had a ‘suicidal person’ on their premises, Strauss had already left for the Trump Tower hotel, where police arrested him.
Having previously told Venetian staff that he would ‘harm himself and anyone who comes near me’, Strauss told the police arresting him that ‘President Trump is my uncle’ and commented, “kill them all” and “slice their heads off”.
All this was enough for Strauss to be initially held on gross misdemeanor charges…
The story was far from over, though, as The Naked Bandit Strauss refused to attend his court hearing.
In his absence, Chief District Judge Linda Bell reviewed findings from a pair of psychologists and subsequently declared Strauss incompetent to stand trial.
This is not a surprise.
Man who exposed himself during WSOP in Las Vegas found incompetent to stand trial | Las Vegas Review-Journal https://t.co/U1OUuQz265
— Kevin Mathers (@Kevmath) October 12, 2019
He was sent to a psychiatric hospital ‘for an undetermined period’ – that period ending this week as he finally pleaded guilty to charges of ‘conspiracy to make a threat or convey false information concerning an act of terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, lethal agents or toxins; and malicious destruction of property’.
According to the LVRJ newspaper, ‘Under a deal with prosecutors, Strauss, who lives out of state, must undergo mental health treatment, not visit Clark County or have any contact with Las Vegas casinos for the two years he is on probation.’
Strauss appeared via video for his sentencing, stated: “I’m just very sorry for what happened. And I’m just going to continue focusing on my mental health improving.”
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