Strikers Charged in Las Vegas Casino Beating

Felony charges were lodged Friday against seven union picket line members in the beating of a Ventura County couple outside the strike-plagued Frontier Hotel.

The April beating, captured on videotape and aired nationwide, raised an outcry in this gaming city, which is dependent on a tourism industry that attracts more than 20 million visitors a year.

Prosecutors presented a judge with the indictments, which charge the seven with a total of 23 crimes. Four of those indicted face 10-year prison terms on felony battery charges, while others face charges of assault and coercion.

Union attorneys said the defendants will voluntarily turn themselves in.

“These people still have their day in court,” said Culinary Local 226 leader Jim Arnold. “Just because a grand jury has come down on them doesn’t mean they’re guilty. We’re going to support and back them until they do have that day in court.”

Those indicted were picket line captain Lonnie Wilkes, Gregory Jones, Dennis James, Sanford David, Johnny Perry, Deborah Pollard and Alfie Murray.

The videotape shot by Frontier security cameras shows Gail and Sean White of Moorpark, Calif., being attacked and beaten after exchanging words with strikers.

As pickets swarmed over Sean White, his wife rushed to his aid and is shown grabbing a pole wielded by a female striker. The striker then began beating her with the pole in a frenzy that lasted a few seconds before the couple escaped across the Las Vegas Strip.