Man admits 2015 robbery of another man inside Elgin casino

An Elgin man has pleaded guilty to robbing another man at the Grand Victoria Casino in December 2015 and faces up to 15 years prison when sentenced May 17.

Sean P. Sheppard, 36, of the 500 block of Shenandoah Trail, pleaded guilty last week to one count of felony robbery to a victim older than 60, Kane County court records show.

A 79-year-old man cashed a $5,000 check and was walking around the Elgin casino with money in his hand playing slots. The victim said a stranger spoke to him and left, but returned and yanked some of the money from his hand and ran off, police said.

An investigation identified Sheppard and police said they located some of the money and half a torn bill in Sheppard's house matching a bill torn during the robbery.

Sheppard entered a blind plea in which a defendant admits guilt without having a previously agreed upon sentence with prosecutors. The defendant leaves the sentence up to the judge, which in this case is Linda Abrahamson.

Sheppard was to go on trial Monday. The felony charge is punishable by four to 15 years in prison. Probation was an option but Sheppard received probation for felony forgery in June 2008 and felony aggravated DUI in January 2009, according to court records.

A message left for his attorney, Kevin McHugh, was not returned.

Sheppard has been held on $75,000 bail at the Kane County jail since his arrest in December 2015. He can have his prison term halved for good behavior.