Chukchansi tribal police chief turns himself in after casino raid

John Oliveira, the tribal police chief who turned himself in Wednesday in connection with the armed raid on Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino, has bailed out of Madera County jail.

Oliveira’s lawyer, Patrick Hanly, confirmed his client bailed out. Oliveira’s bail was at $1.25 million Wednesday during an appearance in Madera Superior Court.

Oliveira, police chief for one of the disputed leadership factions of the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians, was the mastermind behind the raid on the casino-hotel on Oct. 9 to recover audit materials that had not been sent to the federal government by a competing leadership faction.

The raid led 500 patrons and employees to leave the facility. The following day, Chukchansi Gold was shut down by the National Indian Gaming Commission and the state attorney general, and an order by Fresno-based U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill is keeping it closed indefinitely.

Oliveira’s preliminary hearing to determine whether his case goes to trial is Dec. 19.

Four other men remain in jail. Tex McDonald’s bail is $2.45 million, Vernon King’s remains at $1.75 million, and Miguel Ramos and Tyrone Mark Twain Bishop, $500,000 each.

Madera County District Attorney Michael Keitz filed felony charges Oct. 31 against 15 men for their armed entry into the hotel and gaming commission offices. McDonald is the leader of one of the contentious factions of the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians.

This story was originally published November 14, 2014 at 8:40 PM with the headline "Chukchansi tribal police chief turns himself in after casino raid."