A Wichita, Kansas, man was sentenced Tuesday to serve two years on federal probation on federal gambling and tax charges, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
In addition, the defendant agreed to pay more than $117,000 in restitution.
Daven Flax, 48, Wichita, Kansas, pleaded guilty to two counts of illegal gambling and one count of making a false tax statement.
In his plea, Flax admitted he operated an illegal gambling business in Wichita. He conducted and managed illegal poker games at numerous locations in the city.
His income came from taking a cut or “rake” from the amount of money wagered, according to federal authorities. He was responsible for paying employees including dealers, waitresses and caterers as well as paying for the use of commercial properties where poker games were held. The games were not open to the public. Only gamblers who were invited could play.
In addition, Flax worked as a sub-bookie for co-defendant Danny Chapman’s sports betting operation.
Flax failed to pay federal income taxes on approximately $346,000 in income from illegal gambling.
McAllister commended the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service, the Wichita Police Department, Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Furst for their work on the case.
A flash flood watch continues until 1 a.m. Thursday for Wyandotte County. (National Weather Service graphic)
After some rain Wednesday morning, there is a possibility for more rain on Wednesday afternoon and night, according to the National Weather Service.
Rain could continue before 7 a.m. on Thursday, according to the forecast.
With an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain in the forecast, a flash flood watch continues for Wyandotte County through 1 a.m. Thursday, May 9, the weather service said. Local streams may flood and motorists are advised to avoid flooded roadways.
Thunderstorms today may not be as severe as originally expected. Most of Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be dry, with a 20 percent chance of rain on Friday night.
A flood warning will be in effect from Thursday afternoon to Tuesday, May 14, for the Missouri River at Parkville, which includes Wyandotte County, according to the weather service. Minor flooding is forecast. The river may rise above flood stage, 25 feet, by Thursday afternoon and may continue to rise to near 26.5 feet by early Saturday morning, then fall below flood stage by early Monday morning.
Today, there is a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 3 p.m., with a high near 71 and a south wind of 11 to 13 mph, the weather service said. Between a quarter and half-inch of rain is possible.
Tonight, there is an 80 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m., then a chance of showers, according to the weather service. The low will be around 45 with a light and variable wind becoming north northwest 9 to 14 mph after midnight, and gusting as high as 20 mph. Between a quarter and half-inch of rain is possible.
Thursday, there is a 20 percent chance of showers before 7 a.m., with a high near 53 and a north northwest wind of 11 to 14 mph, gusting as high as 18 mph, the weather service said.
Thursday night, it will be cloudy during the early evening, then gradually clearing, with a low of 43 and a north northwest wind of 6 to 11 mph, gusting as high as 18 mph, according to the weather service.
Friday, it will be mostly sunny with a high near 63 and a north wind of 6 to 8 mph, the weather service said.
Friday night, there is a 20 percent chance of showers after 2 a.m., with a low of 48, according to the weather service.
Saturday, it will be mostly cloudy, with a high of 65, the weather service said.
Saturday night, it will be mostly cloudy with a low of 50, according to the weather services.
Sunday, it will be sunny with a high near 70, the weather service said.
Sunday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low around 50, according to the weather service.
Monday, it will be sunny, with a high near 75, the weather service said.
Monday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 56, according to the weather service.
Tuesday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 78, the weather service said.
From 1 to 1.5 inches of rain is possible on Wednesday, according to the weather service. (National Weather Service graphic)The Missouri River at Parkville, which includes Wyandotte County, is in the action stage and could rise to the minor flood stage on Thursday. (National Weather Service – USGS graphic)The Kansas River at 23rd Street, which is on Kansas Avenue at the boundary of Kansas and Missouri, could rise into action stage on Wednesday or Thursday. (National Weather Service – USGS graphic)
To advance in the Region VI playoffs, Kansas City Kansas Community College will have to defeat the reigning regional champion, Barton County.
Seeded No. 3, the Blue Devils (39-14) will play host to the No. 6 Cougars (33-20) in a best-of-three series starting Thursday at 2 p.m.
The second game will be played Friday and a third game if necessary on Saturday. Both will have 2 p.m. starts. In event of rain Thursday, a doubleheader would be played Friday.
Barton finished in a tie with Seward County for fifth and sixth places in the Jayhawk West with Seward (26-25) getting the No. 5 seed against Fort Scott while KCKCC (23-9) finished third in the East a game back of second place Johnson County (24-8) and three behind Cowley (26-6). .
“A tough draw,” KCKCC coach Matt Goldbeck said. “Well coached, as defending Region VI champions Barton has players returning who know how to win. They’re really good on the mound with a 3.34 team earned run average. Offensively, they’ve struggled a little but they’ll bunt, steal, hit-and-run and try to put pressure on our defense. And anyone can get hot at this time of the season.”
Freshman lefthander Osvaldo Mendez (7-2) will draw the starting pitching assignment in Thursday’s opener. The team leader in wins, Mendez has two complete games in 11 starts this season. He’s struck out 59 and walked 32 in 59 innings while compiling a 4.02 ERA.
While the eight other members of the East were finishing their conference schedules, KCKCC has played only one game since May 27.
“The bye week actually helped us get healthy,” Goldbeck said. “We are about as good health-wise as you could be at this time of the year.”
The Blue Devils will enter the playoffs with a team batting average of .329 and seven players hitting .300 or better. Shortstop Kemper Bednar (.366) and first baseman Jose Sosa (.365) are the leaders followed by the outfield trio of Eduardo Acosta (.357), Eric Hinostroza (.352) and Tyler Henry (.352).
Second baseman Traice Hrtter (.326) and designated hitter Kevin Santiago (.333) are the other .300 hitters and will be joined in the starting lineup by third baseman Brady Holder (.246) and catcher J.T. Goodfellow (.291).
Sosa leads in runs batted in (43) and hits (70); Henry in extra base hits (27) and slugging percentage (.635); and Santiago in home runs (6). Henry is also second in home runs (5) and RBI (42) while other RBI leaders are Acosta (36) and Santiago and Bednar, 31 each.
The Blue Devils have stolen more than twice as many bases (96-47) than their opponents with Acosta, Henry, Bednar and Matt Schrick sharing the team lead with 12 each.
Goldbeck is undecided on his second day pitcher. Possibilities include Victory Gotay (2-3). Orlando Ortiz (6-2), Matt Fred (2-1) and Jake Martin (3-0). Jose Amaro leads in saves with four while Gaby Ramos has three and Zavir Morin two.
