Media kingpin under a cloud
The founder of a Texas newspaper is facing federal charges linked to an illegal gambling raid.
warrants connected to a gambling bust
Police served founder of the Corpus Christi Crónica publication Eric Tunchez, 37, with arrest warrants connected to a gambling bust.
Corpus Christi Police Department’s (CCPD) Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division arrested Tunchez May 8 at Lucky Panda Game Room.
The CCPD also cited 52 Lucky Panda patrons for gambling misdemeanors, while finding 145 illegal gambling components and more than $26,000 at the premises.
Senior CCPD officer Jennifer Collier stated in a news release that Tunchez had outstanding warrants.
Chased down
Tunchez, the founder of a dual English-Spanish digital online website and newspaper, faces five charges. These include engaging in organized criminal activity, running a gambling operation, promoting gambling, possession of gambling equipment, and intent to illegally run a game room.
punishable by up to two years in jail and a maximum $10,000 fine.”
The feds’ accusations against Tunchez for engaging in organized crime is a “state jail felony punishable by up to two years in jail and a maximum $10,000 fine.”
According to media reports, however, Tunchez is fighting the accusations. Tunchez allegedly stated that while the CCPD filed charges in Nueces County on May 16, he turned himself in to the San Patricio County Jail on May 21.
Via a phone interview with Corpus Christi Caller Times on May 22, Tunchez refuted the multiple charges claiming a politically motivated beef over his intention to run for public office.
Tunchez added the charges target his work as a consultant helping “game room owners or small business owners navigate the legal process to obtain certificates of occupancy” in Corpus Christi.
What’s next?
Caller Times reported Tunchez is considering filing a lawsuit against the Texas city.
“I’m working with my legal team to clear my name at this point, but I don’t want that to distract from my mission,” he said.
Tunchez’s online news site has over 300,000 followers. In 2024, he was reportedly sentenced to probation for promoting prostitution, while in 2020 was arrested “on suspicion of assaulting his elderly stepfather.”
