A drugged-up gambler who accidentally dropped a loaded handgun onto the floor of a Missouri casino before picking it up and pointing it at employees has been sentenced to eight years in prison.

David J. Lidge was sentenced Wednesday, October 7 for unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon over the April 2024 incident at Ameristar Casino Kansas City.

Lidge, who admitted taking PCP before visiting the casino, later went on the run after failing to appear in court. He was eventually tracked down by an FBI task force in Arizona.

The incident unfolded April 14, 2024, while Lidge was playing craps at the casino in Clay County, Mo.

According to court documents cited by local news outlet KCTV5, a loaded 9mm pistol slipped out of his right pants leg and fell onto the gaming floor.

Lidge picked up the weapon and began waving it around and pointing it toward casino employees and other gamblers. Witnesses said he had his finger on the trigger.

Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers and casino security officers confronted Lidge near the casino’s King Side Circle Bar. He initially resisted but was eventually disarmed and arrested.

While nobody was injured, the gun had a round in the chamber and another eight in the magazine, according to prosecutors.

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