CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (AP) - A Southeast Missouri State University professor pleaded not guilty to charges that he cheated at Cape Girardeau's casino.
Sixty-six-year-old Roger C. Arpin, a longtime literature professor, entered the plea Monday. He was arrested Friday at the Isle Casino Cape Girardeau.
He is charged with "capping" his bets at a blackjack table, meaning he allegedly added to a bet after the cards were dealt.
The Southeast Missourian reports (http://bit.ly/R3gmFN ) Arpin is the first person arrested for cheating at the Cape Girardeau casino since it opened Oct. 30. State gaming officials say 44 others were charged with cheating-related offenses in Missouri so far this year.
The charge carries a possible punishment of up to four years in prison. Anyone convicted of cheating is banned for life from the state's 13 casinos.
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Information from: Southeast Missourian, http://www.semissourian.com