Man pleads guilty to stealing from Fort Hall travel center

A worker at Sage Hill Travel Center in Fort Hall accused of stealing from his employer pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court to theft from a tribal organization.

U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson said Demetrius Anthony Gomez, 28, of Fort Hall, was off duty when the crime occurred at the travel center, which is a gas station, convenience store, and casino near Interstate 15 owned by the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.

According to Olson, here’s what happened:

Gomez walked into the travel center around 3:50 a.m. on April 2. He told his co-worker at the front desk he was checking the schedule.
Gomez went to the rear office.
A few minutes later, he left the store.
His co-worker became suspicious and checked the office and the surveillance video, which showed Gomez taking money from the safe.
While the co-worker was in the office, Gomez entered the store again and took money from a box under the cash register.
An audit showed $1,984 was missing.

Theft from a tribal organization is punishable by imprisonment up to five years, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for May 12 before U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge.