A man has been arrested on terrorism charges in Las Vegas after pouring gasoline on the floor of the Binion’s Gambling Hall (pictured) and threatening to set it on fire.
Jonathan Luna, 30, is charged with making a terrorist threat and attempted arson, among other charges.
Police reports said he arrived at Binion’s in Downtown Las Vegas looking for his girlfriend and carrying a milk jug full of gasoline. When he found her there, he poured the fuel on the floor of the casino as he dragged her outside while threatening to light it on fire if anyone intervened.
Police interviewed witnesses that said outside Binion’s, Luna continued to threaten his partner and others on the street with a knife and a screwdriver.
The incident occurred on January 31, but arrest reports were only released this week. Luna remains in custody awaiting a preliminary court hearing.
The Incident
According to the arrest reports obtained by local media, Las Vegas police were first called to Binion’s in Downtown at around 9:30 p.m. on January 31. Guests reported a man and a woman acting erratically on the casino floor, with the man said to have poured a trail of gasoline behind him.
Officers eventually located the two individuals a couple of blocks from Binion’s. The unnamed woman told police she was in an abusive relationship with Luna, and that he had only come to the casino to find her and bring her back to their shared apartment.
Witnesses told police Luna had threatened them, the woman, and himself with a screwdriver and a knife.
The suspect told police he often gets blackout drunk and didn’t remember pouring out fuel on the casino floor or threatening to burn it down. But he was arrested and charged anyway.
The Charges
Luna has since been charged with attempted arson, making terrorist threats, assault, and domestic battery. He remains in custody in Clark County Detention Center on $50,000 bail, which he has not indicated he can pay. Police revealed he was released from detention just days before his alleged crimes after his partner declined to press charges from a previous violent domestic incident.
This is not the only recent incident of someone threatening arson at a Las Vegas casino hotel. In late 2023, a man was arrested in the stairwell of luxury casino resort Fontainebleau Las Vegas after attempting to fire a jerry-rigged flamethrower at security staff and a fire door.
David is an online casino expert who specializes in online slots and boasts over 10 years experience writing about iGaming. He has written for a wide range of notable publications, including eSports Insider and WordPlay Magazine.
David graduated Derby University with a BA Degree in English Literature and Creative Writing.
