Two men from Arizona have been arrested and charged in connection with an alleged $250,000 gaming fraud scheme that targeted a restaurant in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland. The suspects are accused of manipulating electronic pull-tab machines to generate fraudulent payouts.
Key Takeaways
- Two Arizona men, Steven Ray Kummerfeld and Anthony Lee Stuart, face multiple charges including theft and computer-related fraud.
- The alleged scheme, which ran from January to April 2025, involved manipulating electronic pull-tab machines at Trader’s Seafood Steak & Ale.
- Investigators believe the men used pre-printed or altered tickets to trigger immediate, high-dollar payouts, resulting in losses exceeding $250,000.
- Stuart is identified as a former game developer with prior technical access to the exploited systems.
The Alleged Scheme Unfolds
Steven Ray Kummerfeld, 65, and Anthony “Tony” Lee Stuart, 58, both of Phoenix, Arizona, were apprehended earlier this month by detectives from the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the FBI’s White-Collar Crimes Squad. Police records indicate the pair orchestrated a sophisticated operation between January and April 2025 at Trader’s Seafood Steak & Ale.
Authorities allege that Kummerfeld and Stuart manipulated electronic pull-tab gaming machines, specifically exploiting systems that allowed for immediate, high-dollar payouts. The method involved using pre-printed or altered tickets, which investigators believe were used in conjunction with specific player IDs to repeatedly trigger jackpots. Court filings suggest a pattern of repeated jackpot wins linked to the same player identification numbers.
Investigation and Arrest
The investigation was initiated after the owner of Trader’s Seafood Steak & Ale noticed a pattern of unusual payouts and alerted law enforcement. On November 10, 2025, detectives confronted Kummerfeld and Stuart when they allegedly returned to the restaurant. During the confrontation, officers reportedly discovered multiple fraudulent tickets and matching gaming data, leading to their immediate arrest.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Court documents estimate the total loss to Trader’s and affiliated gaming vendors surpassed $250,000. Both suspects were booked into the Calvert County Detention Center and initially held without bond. Bail reviews were conducted on November 13, 2025, before Judge Michelle R. Saunders.
Stuart faces charges including theft scheme over $100,000, computer/data alteration over $10,000, and related theft counts. Kummerfeld is charged with theft over $100,000, theft between $1,500 and $25,000, and theft scheme charges. Preliminary hearings for both men are scheduled for December 2025 in Calvert County District Court.
