Former Casper pawn shop manager pleads guilty to stealing over $34K

Antonio Carrillo, a 32-year-old from Colorado, has pleaded guilty to stealing over $34,000 while serving as the manager of a pawn shop in Casper, Wyoming, in 2018. His illicit actions were uncovered after he and five employees were fired for failing drug tests. Following their termination, the regional manager received a notification from the corporate office indicating missing bank deposits that correlated with multiple cash-outs at the store.

The investigation into Carrillo's actions began after the regional manager reported the discrepancies. A warrant for his arrest was issued in June 2019, but it wasn't until December 2024 that he was apprehended at the police station in Casper. On March 25, 2024, Carrillo entered a guilty plea for a charge of grand theft before Judge Keri Johnson at the Natrona County District Court.

As part of a plea agreement, Carrillo faces a suspended sentence ranging from four to six years and is mandated to repay the $34,854 he stole from the pawn shop. This agreement reflects the seriousness of the theft and the financial impact on the business.

During the police investigation, surveillance footage was examined, revealing Carrillo managing the register and transferring cash from the safe to the counter on the dates when deposits were reported missing. This visual evidence played a critical role in establishing his involvement in the theft.

Additionally, former assistant managers provided testimonies that Carrillo may have fled to Colorado or Mexico after the incident. One assistant manager mentioned that Carrillo often took her shopping and was seen spending money at a strip club where she worked, suggesting he maintained a level of financial freedom despite the missing funds from the pawn shop.