FBI: Suspect in slot scam left LV

Kim Smith

Friday, July 30, 1999 | 11:16 a.m.

Authorities say they believe the lone suspect still being sought in connection with a national slot machine scam purposely misled his attorney to foster his escape.

FBI Special Agent Kevin Caudle said agents no longer believe Michael Joseph Balsalmo, 40, is in the Las Vegas area.

Balsalmo and six other Las Vegas residents were indicted July 21 on federal charges of interstate travel in aid of racketeering, interstate transportation of stolen property and money laundering.

The other six, Ramon David Pereira, 52, Lisa Jane Luxom, 30, Richard Allen Ealey, 45, Tommy Glenn Carmichael, 49, Raul Ricardo Lescano, 40, and Charles Denton Clark, 38, were arrested July 22. Carmichael and Lescano were arrested in Atlantic City.

Balsalmo, however, could not be found.

"Mr. Balsalmo's attorney was negotiating his surrender that day and that bought him some time, that bought him a lot of time," Caudle said. "When his attorney told us he had lost contact with his client, several hours had gone by and you can get pretty far in that amount of time."

Caudle said authorities believe the attorney was not aware Balsalmo planned to flee.

The indictments came down after officers found schematic drawings of cheating devices, slot machines upon which the suspects practiced and items they believed were purchased with proceeds from the illegal activity, Caudle said.

Officers also found a lab where they believe the group designed, manufactured and tested their cheating devices, Caudle said.

While Balsalmo has numerous friends and a former wife in Las Vegas, Caudle said it is doubtful he is still here.

"It's highly unusual, with his name and picture out there, for someone not to call us, but we haven't gotten any calls," Caudle said.

While Caudle said it is not believed that Balsalmo is dangerous, he added, "There is a felony warrant out for him and he's looking at several years in prison. That is a motivation sometimes for people to do things they might not otherwise do."