Houston Police Seize $118,000, Arrest Four in Katy Poker Club Raid — Club Reopens Within a Day

Houston police seized $118,000 and arrested four people in a raid on the 101 Poker Club in Katy, PokerNews reported. The Houston Police Department announced on social media on Saturday that its Vice Division and the Harris County District Attorney's Office had seized the funds and arrested four suspects "charged with engaging in organized criminal activity on Thursday (Oct. 22)."

The four arrested are Stephen Hohman, Brian Keegan, Laura Respondek and Randolph Reynolds, PokerNews reported, and charges are pending against a fifth, unnamed suspect. Police released several photos apparently showing poker games underway at the time of the raid, including photos of seized chips, cash and a money counting machine, the report said. Police did not provide specifics about the alleged illegal activity, and the charges were not listed online by the Harris County Sheriff's Office as of Saturday afternoon, PokerNews reported. An arrest is a charge, not a finding of guilt.

PokerNews previously reported that officers entered the room with guns drawn on Thursday, players were immediately let go, and dealers and staff were detained. Despite the seizure and arrests, the 101 Poker Club reopened for business less than 24 hours after the raid, PokerNews reported.

The case turns in part on how Texas card rooms make money. PokerNews reported that multiple sources who have played at 101 said the club charges membership fees but has also been taking chips out of pots — a rake — rather than following the standard Texas model of charging a seat fee based on time, which sources said could conflict with the state's strict anti-gambling laws. PokerNews described the raid as the latest in a larger crackdown on Houston-area rooms police say are skirting the law, noting that Lucky J Social Club was raided in May and quickly reopened.