Share and Follow
Steven Min (NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement).
Las Vegas jail authorities have reportedly hindered the release of a man on house arrest because he lacks ankles necessary for an electronic monitoring device, according to his lawyer.
Steven Min, aged 51, is now compelled to wear a device designed for ankles on his right wrist, a situation his attorney describes as “appalling,” as reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Min, a notorious offender with over 200 cases since 1997, currently faces charges of casino trespassing in Clark County. His legs and left hand were amputated years ago following a sepsis infection acquired while incarcerated.
“He only has one limb, judge,” argued defense attorney Joseph Reiff during a court session on Thursday. “They’re setting him up to lose even that. These devices are meant for ankles, and everyone knows that legs are much stronger.”
Reiff asserts that Min — who has been convicted at least 16 times and accused of defrauding gamblers and casino patrons in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, New Jersey — is facing discrimination due to his physical disability. He claims that Min’s release on house arrest was initially denied because he couldn’t wear a traditional ankle monitor.
The Metropolitan Police Department, which runs the local detention center and house arrest program, said in court that Min’s release was not withheld because of his disability. Instead, Metro attorney Michaelo Dickerson explained that the release was barred due to Min having one or more active warrants, the Review-Journal reports.
Reiff submitted an email from Metro Police in court that he said contradicts Dickerson’s claim.
“Our program uses an ankle monitor for its GPS tracking,” the March 3 email reads, according to the Review-Journal. “This is the only authorized and available equipment for Electronic Monitoring and GPS tracking. Unfortunately, Mr. Min does not have the capability for our Officers to apply our device.”
Reiff said that the only way Min was allowed to be released was if he wore an ankle monitor on his wrist. Dickerson said that Reiff’s arguments about the wrist compromise being unethical and wrong were “ridiculous,” per the Review-Journal.
“There’s nothing inhumane about monitoring Mr. Min by putting the bracelet on his arm,” Dickerson argued in court. “People wear bracelets and watches every day. This is no different.”
Min was released after his court hearing but wound up right back in jail Thursday, according to the Review-Journal. A police spokesperson told the newspaper that Min “was returned to the Clark County Detention Center after a compliance check revealed he was in violation of the conditions of his electronic monitoring program.”