Lawrenceburg casino armed robber sentenced to 52 years

(LAWRENCEBURG, Ind.) – The man convicted of robbery and kidnapping at Hollywood Casino in Lawrenceburg has been sentenced to more than a half-century behind bars. 

42-year-old Daniel Birdseye, of Cincinnati, went into the casino with a loaded handgun, threatened employees and stole a large sum of cash in March of 2024. 

Birdseye also forced an employee to act as a hostage while escorting him out of the casino, prosecutors say. 

One casino employee required hospital treatment and a customer also received medical care following the incident.

Birdseye admitted during a recorded interview that he committed the robbery and that the handgun recovered by law enforcement was the weapon he used, prosecutors said.

Earlier this year, he was found guilty of Robbery While Armed with a Deadly Weapon, Kidnapping, Criminal Confinement with a Deadly Weapon and Intimidation.

This case is believed to be the first prosecuted casino robbery in Indiana.

The sentencing hearing was held Tuesday and Birdseye was sentenced to 52 years in prison 

The judge cited several aggravating factors including the danger he posed to casino employees, patrons and the public. 

Prosecutor Lynn Deddens credited the Hollywood Casino employees for their courage during the incident and the trial. She also thanked the law enforcement agencies who worked the case. 

“That level of coordination was remarkable. Their quick response, along with the actions of casino employees, helped minimize the potential for further injury in a situation that easily could have ended much differently,” Deddens said.

Agencies that were involved in the arrest and prosecution included:

• Indiana Gaming Commission

• Lawrenceburg Police Department

• Dearborn County Sheriff’s Office

• Indiana State Police

• Ohio County Sheriff’s Office

• Aurora Police Department

• Rising Sun Police Department

• Greendale Police Department

• Boone County Sheriff’s Department

• Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department

• Homeland Security Investigations and additional assisting emergency response personnel.