Sentencing Put on Hold for Convicted Armed Robber

The armed robbery took place at Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg in 2024

Daniel Birdseye.

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - Daniel Birdseye was in Dearborn County Court on Tuesday morning for a sentencing hearing connected to an armed robbery that took place in March of 2024 at Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg. 

Birdseye, 42, of Cincinnati, went to trial in May where he pleaded guilty to Robbery with a Deadly Weapon (Level 3 Felony). The jury also found Birdseye guilty of Kidnapping (Level 3 Felony), Criminal Confinement with Deadly Weapon (Level 3 Felony), and three counts of Intimidation with a Deadly Weapon (Level 5 Felony).

However, the jury acquitted Birdseye on one count of Criminal Confinement and one count of Intimidation. 

According to a probable cause affidavit, Birdseye pulled out a 9 mm handgun on a Hollywood Casino employee and demanded money from the casino cage area. He made further demands and threatened to shoot at least one employee before fleeing the casino. 

A Hollywood Casino employee who was working in the main bank the day of the robbery provided a victim statement at the Sentencing hearing

"You have taken my feeling of security away from me. Having a gun pointed at you is one of the worst things a person can encounter. The fear I had that night will linger with me the rest of my life."

After being taken into custody near the Oxbow area, Birdseye was transported to the Dearborn County Law Enforcement Center.

At the sentencing hearing, a Dearborn County Sheriff's deputy recounted an incident that occurred after booking. 

According to the testimony, Birdseye stated he was suicidal and was placed in a padded cell due to protocol. He then requested to go to the restroom. A video shown in the courtroom showed Birdseye resisting officers, who were trying to get him back into his padded cell. As the video continues, Birdseye was seen throwing at least two punches toward deputies. Since then, Birdseye has shown to be a more compliant inmate, according to the testimony given. 

Before sentencing could be handed down, "contradictory evidence" was brought to the forefront. The new evidence presented is being taken under advisement by Judge Negangard. 

Sentencing will now take place in September. 

According to Prosecutor Lynn Deddens, this is believed to be the first prosecuted casino robbery in Indiana.