Sun Valley Man Sentenced to Prison

Tom Darby

SUN VALLEY, Nev. — A Sun Valley man has been sentenced to as many as 30 years in Nevada state prison for stealing more than three-quarters of a million dollars from multiple local casinos, according to the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office.

Thomas Tonar, 61, received concurrent sentences of six to 20 years for four felony counts of embezzlement involving amounts of $100,000 or more, and consecutive terms of two to 10 years for two additional counts of embezzlement involving amounts under $100,000. In total, Tonar will serve an aggregate sentence of eight to 30 years.

The case dates back to June 2025, when Sparks police responded to a Dotty’s Casino location following reports of embezzlement. Tonar was employed by Dotty’s at the time.

Investigators say surveillance footage showed Tonar stealing cash from the casino office and committing similar thefts at other Dotty’s locations. A joint investigation by the Sparks Police Department and Reno Police Department later revealed that Tonar had embezzled money from six different casino locations, taking $714,713.59.

Authorities say Tonar fled Nevada after the thefts and was arrested several days later at a motel in Sacramento during a coordinated law enforcement operation. A search of his belongings recovered $677,069 in stolen cash, along with three firearms.