The second man charged in a casino robbery in Payson was sentenced to prison this week. FBI officials say 32-year old Ryan Pearson of Payson was sentenced to 5-years in prison followed by 3-years of supervised release. Pearson pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Pearson admitted to using a firearm, along with co-defendant Armando Pablo Ochoa, to rob the Mazatal Casino in Payson. Ochoa and Pearson entered the casino armed with handguns and demanded employees open a vault. When they did not receive immediate compliance, Ochoa and Pearson each fired a round from their weapons. Both were employees of the casino at the time. Ochoa also received a 5-year prison sentence. The robbery occurred in July, 2018.
