Hounds trailing spin-win gambler who fled on bond

Waco – Convicted of engaging in organized criminal activity last May, Raed Alzreiqi filed an appeal bond, then absconded when appeals judges remanded his case to the 54^th State District Court.

Today he is the subject of an international manhunt.

Jurors fairly bristled when they learned that his betting parlor at 1808 W.Waco Dr. grossed positive, untaxed cash flow of nearly a half milliondollars a year, then returned a verdict of guilty and assessedpunishment not to exceed 10 years imprisonment or a fine of $10,000,or both. (click here for a previous report)

They took less than 15 minutes to return their verdict.

At the time, his attorney Doug Henager remarked, “My problem with all of this is that out of all the people involved in all of this, he is the only one who is being prosecuted.”

Jurors ruled that Mr. Alzreiqi was part of a criminal “combination” of two or more other people that knowingly broke the law by providing cash payments for winning results on computer betting machines instead of merchandise not worth more than 10 times the amount of the wager. Clerks who worked for him and police officers who played the games while in observation of his operation testified that they never saw anyone select the kewpie dolls and stuffed animals offered as booby prizes for winning wagers.

Charitable, religious, or fraternal organizations are allowed to make cash payments under the gambling laws and organized criminal activity statutes.

When he failed to appear at an August hearing to determine if he wished to continue with his appeal, and if he is indigent and requiring an appointed counsel, Judge Matt Johnson ordered a bond forfeiture, a judgement nisi, and issued a capias warrant for his arrest.

His bond is $250,000.

Chapman's Bail Bonds service owner Terry Chapman is offering a cash reward of up to $2,000 to learn his whereabouts so he may be apprehended and returned to Waco to answer the charges.