CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Corpus Christi Police Department Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division executed a search warrant at the Player’s Lounge on August 29, 2024, marking the second raid in less than a year. The establishment, located in a strip mall on the 3400 block of South Padre Island Drive, was under investigation for illegal gambling activities.
Detectives, with assistance from the CCPD Traffic Unit Officers and the Texas Comptroller’s Office, seized a substantial amount of gambling equipment and over $73,000 in cash during the raid. Mark Pelaez, a 24-year-old identified as the owner, faced charges including engaging in organized criminal activity and money laundering, according to the Corpus Christi Police Department. Brandon Roe, a 25-year-old identified as the manager, faced similar charges.
On September 25, 2025, both Pelaez and Roe agreed to a plea deal, pleading guilty to all felony charges, while pending misdemeanor charges were dismissed. The Corpus Christi Police Department reminds the public that game rooms offering cash payouts operate illegally and that patrons and operators may face prosecution. Information on illegal gambling can be reported to the department or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.