OWATONNA, Minn. — A Minneapolis man faces a felony theft charge after prosecutors say he stole more than $82,000 in charitable gambling funds from the Owatonna American Legion.
Dakkota Cruz Moreno, 31, is accused of taking the money between February 2025 and May 2026, according to a criminal complaint filed by Steele County Atty. Robert J. Jarrett.
"Embezzlement and misappropriation of funds are the most common type of theft facing charitable organizations," Jarrett said. "Having proper control systems in place is critical to preventing these types of crimes."
He said the community trusts organizations to raise funds for good causes, and people who commit fraud take advantage of that trust to benefit themselves.
The Minnesota Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division and the Gambling Control Board investigated the case. Jarrett thanked Agent Ali Duong and other investigators for their work.
Moreno is scheduled to appear in Steele County District Court on Dec. 7.