Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

One Moulin Rouge fire suspect out on bail

One of the two men charged with first-degree arson in the fire that destroyed the historic Moulin Rouge casino was out on bail today and had returned to his apartment near the casino, worrying area residents.

Authorities at the Clark County Detention Center said John Antwan Caver, 29, also known as "Antman," was released Thursday afternoon after he had a bondsman post a $3,000 bond.

After his release Caver returned to his apartment in the Treeline complex at 920 W. Bonanza Road, behind the Moulin Rouge, Katherine Duncan, property manager of the Moulin Rouge Development Corp., said.

The Moulin Rouge Development Corp. owns 50 of 59 units at the Treeline complex, but the unit Caver rents is one of the nine belonging to an out-of-state owner. Moulin Rouge officials have no power to evict Caver, Duncan said.

If Caver lived in one of the apartments owned by the Moulin Rouge, Duncan said "he would have been evicted a long time ago, and I say that emphatically."

Caver is "under the security's scrutiny" and is being escorted to and from his apartment.

Some residents aren't happy to see Caver. Ruby Mingo, a resident of the Moulin Rouge apartments, said she has been trying to stay away from him.

"It doesn't make sense for him to come back here if he set the fire," Mingo said. "He'd have to have ice water in his veins."

A resident who asked not to be identified said he didn't know that Caver was back.

"I hadn't heard that, but if it's true, it's making me a little paranoid to live here," he said.

Caver and Fred Lewis Ball, 45, also known as "Bubba," were charged Thursday in connection with the May 29 blaze that destroyed Nevada's first integrated casino, District Attorney David Roger said.

In addition to the first-degree arson, both men face one count each of conspiracy to commit arson.

Roger would not comment directly on a possible motive, but the court documents give a sketchy outline of the events authorities believe unfolded May 29 at the casino, located at 900 W. Bonanza Road.

The criminal complaint alleges that prior to the fire, Caver gave Ball "a bag containing a gasoline-type substance, which Ball took to the premises."

The document states that Caver and unknown co-conspirators then "took the bag and contents into the building, thereafter setting fire to the building."

While Caver set the blaze, "Ball remained outside operating as a lookout," the document alleges.

Other court documents say two separate witnesses observed Ball at the scene minutes before the fire.

According to an arrest affidavit, Ball admitted to investigators that he helped set the fire, and implicated Caver as his co-conspirator.

Damages from the fire were estimated at $12 million, the court documents said. The building was insured for $3 million, its owners have said. Las Vegas Fire Department spokesman Tim Szymanski said this morning the official damage estimate was $5.5 million.

Ball is scheduled to make his first appearance in court Monday before Las Vegas Justice of the Peace William Jansen. Caver is scheduled to appear before Jansen July 21.

The casino's owner, Bart Maybie, has said he thought the blaze was set in retaliation for a recent crackdown on drug activity on the property.

The pair could also face federal charges, because the hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places.

"The U.S. Attorney's office has expressed interest in prosecuting the case," Roger said Thursday. Federal charges had not been filed this morning, U.S. Attorney's office spokeswoman Natalie Collins said.

A federal conviction for first-degree arson carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison. State penalties for first-degree arson are two to 15 years in prison and a $15,000 fine, and the conspiracy charge carries a penalty of one to six years in prison.

Over the course of the 20-day investigation, federal and local authorities "worked on the case day and night" and interviewed more than 110 witnesses, Las Vegas Fire Marshal Ken Riddle said.

On June 6 investigators announced they were looking for Ball, who was seen outside the Moulin Rouge the night of the fire, because they thought he might have been a witness.

They released a photograph to the media of a man they said was Ball, but Szymanski said a mistake was made; the photograph given the Las Vegas Sun and in other media was not Ball. Ball was found Monday and questioned.

Dale Scott, chief executive of the Moulin Rouge Development Corp., said he was "elated" when told of the arrests.

"We think the government officials have done an outstanding job in such a short time span," he said.

Ball and Caver have extensive criminal records, according to Metro Police. Many of the arrests were made after the court issued warrants for failing to appear in court, Officer Jose Montoya said.

Ball has been arrested at least 10 times since 1989, Montoya said, mostly for drug-related offenses, including bringing drugs across state lines, possession of drugs for sale, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under the influence of drugs.

His only felony conviction was in 1998. He pleaded guilty to drug possession and was sent to Drug Court after he was caught with marijuana and cocaine near the Moulin Rouge, according to court records. He was put in jail after he failed to follow through with court-ordered drug treatments.

Metro Police have arrested Caver at least 15 times since 1992 on charges such as battery domestic violence, possessing an unregistered firearm, possession of drugs for sale, driving under the influence, disorderly conduct and malicious destruction of property, Montoya said.

He pleaded guilty in District Court in 1996 to carrying a concealed weapon without a permit, a gross misdemeanor, and was sentenced to time served.

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