Slot machines are games of chance—but some bar owners in Wisconsin say criminals were trying to change the odds. Prosecutors have charged three men from North Carolina, including Montare Goodman, with felony computer crimes after they allegedly used jamming devices to manipulate slot machines and cash out fake winnings.
The incident occurred at The Network Bar in West Allis, where owner Jake Sibler noticed suspicious activity on April 9. Two men engaged with the slot machines while another man and a woman created a distraction by starting a fight. One machine reportedly froze during the ruckus, prompting one of the suspects to ask for a payout.
“I told her to keep them there, pay them. $100 is worth catching these guys,” Sibler said.
West Allis police soon discovered jamming devices in a rental vehicle tied to Goodman. Authorities say the group used these devices to manipulate machine credits, creating the appearance of legitimate winnings.
Milwaukee County Circuit Court Commissioner Barry Phillips noted the rarity of the charges: “This is a first. I don’t think I’ve seen this charge before. But I’ve been educated today.”
Authorities believe the group is part of a larger out-of-state ring, primarily from North Carolina, that has targeted bars in Milwaukee and surrounding counties. Earlier in April, Waukesha County prosecutors charged two men, Erik Nelson and Lamar McCaskill, in a similar scheme involving slot machines at bars and a bowling alley in Muskego, with thousands of dollars stolen.
Investigators say the scam involves sophisticated knowledge of machine systems and strategic distractions to enable the device use without immediate detection.
The investigation is ongoing, and more charges may be filed as law enforcement tracks similar incidents statewide.
