Fairfax County police broke up a poker operation at a hotel in the Merrifield area Friday night.
The three alleged organizers were arrested, and eight more men were given summonses for participating in the illegal Texas Hold ’em game, police said. Hotel employees were not involved.
“Anytime that we find out about illegal gambling, we’re going to make an effort to make arrests,” said Officer Richard Henry, a police spokesman.
Alon Fisch, 34, of Gainesville, Omar J. Khattar, 23, of Springfield, and Daniel R. Castelli, 27, of Burke, each face two gambling charges after police executed the search warrant at the Marriott at 8125 Gatehouse Road. More than $20,000 was seized.
Fisch has also been charged with money laundering. All three have been released on bond.
The hotel did not return a call for comment Wednesday.
