ST. CROIX - Gaming Enforcement Officers arrested two Customs and Border Protection employees and a black jack dealer at Divi Carina Bay Casino on Wednesday on charges of cheating and swindling.

Customs entry specialist Marlene Lockhart, 37, of Estate Whim; Customs technician Luz Santiago, 37, of Estate Whim; and blackjack dealer Anette Kent, 37, of Peter's Rest were all arrested just before 10 a.m. Wednesday on the charges in connection with an incident that police said occurred between 5 and 9 p.m. Nov. 25 at the casino.

According to affidavits filed in Superior Court by Robert Soto, senior special agent of the Justice Department's Division of Gaming Enforcement, between 5:17 p.m. and 6:29 p.m. Nov. 25, Kent was seen taking part in a cheating scheme at one of the blackjack tables.

The person monitoring the surveillance cameras noticed that on 22 occasions during the one-hour period, Kent failed to collect on losing bets, paid out on losing bets, coached Lockhart on whether to take insurance on each play and looked at cards in the shoe before either encouraging or dissuading Lockhart from playing her hand, the affidavit.

Lockhart was observed cashing in her chips for $4,300, according to court documents.

Soto wrote that later that evening, beginning at 7:30, a similar apparent cheating collusion scheme was observed by the surveillance monitor, but this time between Kent and Santiago.

The affidavit states that at 8:14 p.m. Santiago cashed out for $3,175 and left the casino.

Soto said that based on a comprehensive review of the actions seen on the tape, both parties communicated with Kent before and after the offenses took place.

They appeared before Presiding Superior Court Judge Maria Cabret just before noon Wednesday to be advised of their rights and formally charged.

Each of the women pleaded not guilty to the charges and requested speedy jury trials.

Cabret entered scheduled jury selection and trial to take place at 9 a.m. March 6 in her courtroom.

Bail for each of the women was set at $10,000 and the women were released after signing an unsecured bond in the amount of bail.

According to court records, Cabret ordered that they stay away from the casino and any known witnesses, appear at all scheduled court hearings, and because they have all been suspended from their jobs, they were ordered to seek and maintain gainful employment.

Officials at Divi Carina Bay Casino, Casino Control Commission and Customs and Border Protection could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

- Contact Fiona Stokes-Gifft at 774-8772 ext. 455 or e-mail stokes@dailynews.vi.