HPD Officer Among 5 Arrested In Illegal Gambling Probe

HOUSTON, TX — An 11 year veteran of the Houston Police Department were among five people arrested Thursday as part of a two-year investigation into illegal gambling parlors in Houston's Chinatown.

Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg and Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo announced the attest of 42-year-old Thomas Lam and four others during a press conference on Friday. Lam was charged with two misdemeanor counts related to operating an illegal game room.

"He is a prolific gambler, and he gambled his career away," Ogg said.

The arrests come as part of an ongoing joint operation in the Chinatown area by the District Attorney’s Office and Houston Police, that has so far resulted in 41 arrests, including three police officers and the seizure of more than $2.4 million in cash since the start of 2018.

“Organized crime thrives on money,” Ogg said. “We just took millions of dollars from them. Thos are dollars that have never been taxed. Those are dollars that attract cockroaches like cake to a location.”

Lam was charged Thursday with providing protection for the operator of Café Thanh Quynh, an illegal gambling establishment located at 10804 Bellaire Blvd. The café has hidden rooms where gamblers regularly bet cash by playing gambling machines, Ogg said.

Investigators noted that members of a violent criminal gang known as Kai Bang were frequently at the café, Ogg said.

"The officer decided who could get through the door to gamble," Ogg said.

Such game rooms are considered crime drivers in the area, as they have lots of cash and are targets for robbery and violence.

The evidence shows Lam was also a regular player at the café, and had been seen there in uniform while on and off duty, Ogg said.

Among the civilians arrested Thursday was the alleged owner of the facility, a manager and other game-room workers who would make cash payouts to clients. They were identified as:

• Vu The Vo
• James Wang
• Thy Nguyen
• Andy Vo

All four face charges of money laundering, which is a first degree felony in Texas.

"This is not a victimless crime," Acevedo said. "It is activity that leads to the degradation of the quality of life for the people in those neighborhoods."

While it's not clear to what extent Lam will be prosecuted, Acevedo said Lam's law enforcement career was over.

"He's not going to serve much longer," Acevedo said. "I think he's a disgrace to the badge and a disgrace to the uniform."

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