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Gene Kennedy Reporting It's "game over" for a former Salt Lake poker shop owner. Christopher Shilts pleaded guilty to setting his store on fire to collect insurance money.
Federal prison is next for Shilts. He's in the custody of the U.S. Marshall right now. But come August he could be sentenced to more than 20 years behind bars.
The charges against Shilts included arson, wire fraud and Social Security fraud. He's pleaded guilty to all of it.
On April 30th, Shilts' poker supply shop "Cards, Chips, and More" went up in flames. At that time, he told authorities and the news media someone was out to get him and even threatened him over the phone.
Chris Shilts, Owner, Cards, Chips & More, May 2005: "I got a phone call from a blocked number and in a very deep, low voice a person said, 'I will destroy everything you own. I will find you and I will kill you,' and hung up."
It was all a scam. Shilts set the building on fire to get the insurance money. Later, more charges surfaced. He took out several auto loans, bought two vehicles and a boat and sold them over eBay without the title.
Then, Social Security fraud. A company hired Shilts to promote and advertise for them, including hiring people to hand out leaflets.
Shilts admitted to making up several names and Social Security numbers to get paid $30,000 without actually doing the work.
This man scammed a lot of people and he may serve some serious time for it. We'll find out in August.
