Anthony Wrobel Pleads Guilty to Murdering Venetian Executive, May Avoid Life Without Parole

Posted on: September 27, 2019, 01:01h. 

Last updated on: September 27, 2019, 03:14h.

Steve Bittenbender Read More
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Former Venetian dealer Anthony Wrobel has admitted to shooting and killing an executive from the casino and seriously wounding another at a company picnic last year.

Former Venetian dealer Anthony Wrobel (left) agreed to plead guilty to the murder of Mia Banks, top right, and the attempted murder of Hector Rodriguez at a company picnic last year. (Image: Oldham County Sheriff/Sands Corporation/Casino.org)

Court documents reveal Wrobel and prosecutors submitted an agreement to plead guilty to one count each of murder and attempted murder. In exchange for the plea, which eliminates the need for a trial, the Clark County District Attorney’s office agreed to not seek a sentence of life in prison without parole and drop a lesser charge of battery.

The agreement, though, doesn’t necessarily guarantee Wrobel will avoid life in prison without the possibility of parole for the killing Mia Banks, who served as the vice president of casino operations for the Venetian.

I have not been promised or guaranteed any particular sentence by anyone,” the plea agreement, signed by Wrobel, states. “I know that my sentence is to be determined by the Court within the limits prescribed by statute.

“I understand that if my attorney or the State of Nevada or both recommend any specific punishment to the Court, the Court is not obligated to accept the recommendation.”

Nevada sentencing guidelines state the 44-year-old could face life in prison either with or without parole. He could get, instead, a 50-year sentence with the possibility of parole. In addition, he could receive up to an additional sentence, for up to 20 years and served consecutively, for “weapon enhancement.”

Parole eligibility would begin after 20 years.

For the attempted murder of Hector Rodriguez, the Venetian’s executive director of table games, Wrobel faces a sentence between 2 and 20 years, with another additional sentence possible for weapon enhancement.

Wrobel is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 21. He has been held without bond since returning to Nevada in June 2018.

Wrobel Also Faces Federal Charge

The shootings took place on April 15, 2018 at Sunset Park, located in southern Las Vegas about five miles southeast of the Venetian. He fired first at Banks, killing her from point-blank range, before turning to Rodriguez.

He then fled Nevada and, after a nearly four-day manhunt, was arrested at an interstate rest stop in rural Texas.

Wrobel’s legal troubles don’t end in the Clark County courtroom. He still faces federal charges for unlawfully fleeing Nevada to avoid prosecution. However, no action has been taken on that case since the complaint was filed in April 2018.

Police found a note on Wrobel’s kitchen table that indicated he was angry with casino management. His former co-workers told Nevada reporters he apparently was upset over pay reductions.

No Death Penalty

After he was extradited to Nevada following his arrest in Texas, a Las Vegas grand jury formally indicted Wrobel on charges in July 2018.

Initially, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson considered seeking the death penalty in the case. However, Wrobel’s lack of a prior criminal record deterred prosecutors from seeking that.

Before he submitted his guilty plea last week, his case was scheduled to go to trial on Oct. 28.