Marlton, NJ man behind attempted armed robbery at Bally’s Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ receives prison sentence

A Marlton man has been sentenced for his unprovoked attack on another person and attempted robbery at Bally's Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City.

On December 23, 2020, Shawn P. Applewhite was seated at a slot machine inside the casino at around 7:35 pm and then suddenly got up and tried robbing someone right near him by putting a box cutter to the victim's neck and demanding their money and jewelry, according to an investigation by the New Jersey State Police Casino Gaming Bureau which was announced on Wednesday by Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin.

The victim tried fighting back as they stood up while being under attack and a bystander even tried to break things up.

Then, Applewhite took off without taking any property.

A Bally's security supervisor and a security officer apprehended Applewhite though as he tried to leave the casino.

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In court this week, AG Platkin said that the 25-year-old Applewhite has been sentenced t eight years in state prison including nearly seven years of parole ineligibility, has been ordered to have no contact with the victim, and is permanently barred from all casinos in New Jersey.

AG Platkin said that Applewhite previously pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery.

“The armed defendant ambushed his victim in a public venue, creating an alarming and dangerous situation for everyone present,” Acting Attorney General Platkin said in a written statement. “The significant prison sentence announced today underscores our commitment to public safety.”

“The troopers assigned to the New Jersey State Police Casino Gaming Bureau acted swiftly and decisively in charging the defendant for his blatant criminal acts,” Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, said in a written statement. “We strive to make Atlantic City’s casinos a safe place for everyone to enjoy and we will continue to work diligently with our partners, both in law enforcement and the community, to accomplish that goal."

AG Platkin said that Deputy Attorney General Katelyn Waegener prosecuted Applewhite and represented the Division of Criminal Justice Specialized Crimes Bureau at the sentencing hearing and Deputy Attorney General Waegener prosecuted the case under the supervision of Bureau Chief Erik Daab and Deputy Bureau Chief Valerie Butler of the Division of Criminal Justice Specialized Crimes Bureau.

Defense Attorney: H. Robert Boney, Esq., Somers Point, NJ.