The offences stem from fraudulent activity at the Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort in Larchwood, Iowa, where investigators say Benward manipulated casino staff and systems in December 2018 in order to secure more than US$10,000 in improper payouts.
Specifically:
• He was convicted for five counts of money laundering (class C felonies).
• He was also found guilty of five counts of cheating at gambling games (class D felonies).
• Additionally, one count of conspiracy to commit a felony (class D) was among the verdicts.
Authorities say the scheme involved Benward changing outfits, using multiple tellers and breaking up large cash transactions (over US$12,000) so as to stay under required reporting thresholds by the IRS.
He was later located and arrested in Mississippi in April 2025 after warrants were issued.
A sentencing date has not yet been set.