Daven Flax, 48, of Wichita, Kan., is off the streets — but not off the hook. Flax was sentenced Tuesday to 24 months of federal probation after pleading guilty to two counts of illegal gambling and one count of making a false tax statement, admitting to running a high-stakes underground poker operation across the city.
Flax admitted in court to organizing and managing clandestine poker games at multiple commercial locations in Wichita. The games were invitation-only, closed to the public, and funded by a cut — known as a ‘rake’ — taken from each pot. That rake, prosecutors say, generated hundreds of thousands in untaxed income, with Flax pulling in approximately $346,000 from the operation over several years.
Not just a poker boss, Flax also served as a sub-bookie for co-defendant Danny Chapman’s illegal sports betting ring, further embedding himself in Wichita’s underground gambling economy. He handled wagers, coordinated payouts, and helped expand the network’s reach — all while skimming profits that never saw the inside of a tax return.
To keep the enterprise running, Flax paid dealers, caterers, and waitstaff out of illicit proceeds. He also paid rent for the venues where games were held — cash transactions designed to fly under the radar. But the IRS and FBI weren’t blind. A joint investigation peeled back layers of cash flow, revealing a well-oiled gambling machine masked as private entertainment.
As part of his plea, Flax agreed to pay more than $117,000 in restitution for unpaid taxes tied to his criminal income. While he avoided prison time, the probation sentence includes strict financial reporting and continued scrutiny from federal authorities. U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister called the outcome a win for accountability.
McAllister credited the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Wichita Police Department for cracking the case, along with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron Smith and Mona Furst, who prosecuted. With Flax’s cooperation, investigators may not be done — and others linked to the ring could still face charges.
Related Federal Cases
- Wichita Bookie Danny Chapman Cops to Gambling, Tax Fraud · Kansas
- Jack Oxler Charged in Federal Gambling Crackdown · Kansas
- Kalena Winston Pleads Guilty to $70K Tax Fraud Scheme · Kansas
- Retired Lt. Kevin P. Vaughn Cops to Fraud, Gets Probation · Kansas
- Richard Drake Sentenced for $2.4M Tax Fraud Scheme · Kansas
Key Facts
- State: Kansas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Organized CrimeOrganized CrimeOrganized CrimeOrganized Crime