HOUSTON – After the arrest of former Turkey Leg Hut co-owner Lyndell “Lynn” Price on arson charges related to the 2020 explosion at Bar 5015, federal prosecutors on Thursday argued in court to keep him in custody pending trial, presenting evidence and additional allegations.
Price, 42, is facing three federal charges for allegedly masterminding the arson that rocked the Museum District on an early summer morning. Armani Williams, 27, and John Lee Price, 39, both of Houston, were also arrested and charged in connection with the explosion.
READ: Former owner of Turkey Leg Hut arrested after federal grand jury indictment for 2020 bar explosion
What happened in court
During Thursday’s detention hearing, Price appeared handcuffed and shackled in an olive green jumpsuit. Several family members were present, and Price acknowledged them with a nod as they entered the courtroom, according to KPRC 2’s Bryce Newberry.
He pleaded not guilty during the arraignment.
Prosecutors argued Price is a danger to the community and could intimidate witnesses or jurors if released. His defense attorney, Chuck Egbuonu, initially argued the government hadn’t met its burden to justify the hearing, but after discussion, Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo allowed it to proceed.
Egbuonu requested bond and proposed release conditions.
Evidence presented
An FBI special agent testified about evidence linking Price to the 2020 explosion, including geofenced data of the alleged arsonists cell phones and call records between them and Lynn Price.
Security footage from June 12, 2020, reportedly showed John Lee Price holding what appeared to be a fire source at Bar 5015.
Geofenced data showed Lee Price’s cellphone within 22 meters of the bar at the time of the fire, the agent said.
Prosecutors said Lynn Price and Lee Price called each other just before and after the fire — the only overnight calls between them that month.
READ: Details on Bar 5015 explosion in 2020
Egbuonu emphasized that Lynn Price was not at the scene and was not holding an ignition source. He also pointed out that two of the alleged arsonists interviewed did not tell the FBI that Price paid them to set the fire.
The defense argued that no other businesses owned by the same person had been targeted, questioning the motive: “If Lynn Price was motivated to set a competing business on fire, why didn’t he target other related businesses?”
Confessions that led to indictments
In 2023, after being arrested on unrelated federal drug trafficking charges in Mississippi, John Lee Price was interviewed by the FBI. Prosecutors said he confessed to his role in the Bar 5015 explosion and implicated Lynn Price.
Lee Price allegedly told investigators that Lynn Price directed him to recruit a crew for the arson and promised payment. Lee Price said he received two payments, the first for $1,000, which he said he gave to the crew, and later $400.
Armani Williams, a former Turkey Leg Hut employee, also reportedly confessed to involvement and told investigators he feared Lynn Price, noting his reputation and history of violence.
History of Bar 5015 owner and Lynn Price
Bar 5015 owner Steve Rogers told FBI agents his impression of what led to the fire. He said he had an idea to open 5015 and initially was going to bring Lynn Price in as a potential co-owner. He then decided he did not want to do business with Lynn Price or his wife, Nakia Price, due to lawsuits involving the restaurant.
Rogers allegedly told investigators that Lynn Price tried to buy into Bar 5015 and came to him with a box full of cash as payment to be a part of the partnership. Rogers said he took the box back to TLH and returned the money.
According to Rogers, Lynn Price called him sometime before the fire, yelling and hollering about him selling crawfish at 5015. Because they were using the same supplier, Rogers allegedly told investigators that Lynn Price viewed it as a conflict of interest.
Rogers stated that he heard Lynn Price say he’d “blow the place up” if certain conditions were not met.
Prosecutors also presented text messages from Lynn Price that he thought were threatening.
Former Turkey Leg Hut general manager describes Lynn Price’s threats
I will come to your house and kill that dog … stop playing and I mean it.
Lynn Price, former Turkey Leg Hut Owner
Text messages between a former TLH general manager and Lynn Price were part of the presentation from prosecutors. The former general manager said she was arguing with Lynn Price on text when he told her, “I will come to your house and kill that dog … stop playing and I mean it."
She stated that she was upset, scared and remains afraid to this day. Prosecutors also said she was reluctant to speak with the FBI.
There were multiple text messages of them arguing about TLH because she was trying to help him and tell him what to do but he reportedly told her it’s his restaurant and he knew what to do, the FBI agent testified.
Egbuonu described the texts as profanity-laden arguments and claimed messages might have been spurred by that general manager allegedly stealing money from the business, acknowledging his client could have presented his side differently.
How Lee Price and Lynn Price met
Prosecutors detailed the relationship between Lee Price and Lynn Price, which began in 2018 after Lee Price was released from a 30-month federal sentence for tax fraud.
Lee Price told investigators he worked odd jobs for Lynn Price, who was still under supervised release at the time of the arson, including stealing ATVs, cars, and engines. He said he would message Lynn Price with theft opportunities and Price would either sell or strip the stolen goods.
Police officer’s vehicle stolen and burned
Lee Price described stealing a blue Chevy Nova that Lynn Price wanted for its engine. After discovering the car was stolen from a police officer, Price allegedly ordered Lee Price to get rid of and burn it.
The vehicle was recovered near some railroad tracks and a retention pond, investigators said, who confirmed the incident through a police report.
Drug trafficking alleged at Turkey Leg Hut
Prosecutors allege that drug activity occurred at the Turkey Leg Hut from at least 2022 to 2023, upon Lee Price’s Mississippi arrest.
Lee Price told investigators that he received money from hydro marijuana being sold at the restaurant. He would reportedly travel to California and bring it back in trailers to store it at the TLH facility because of 24-hour security.
Lee Price reportedly picked up 500-1,000 pounds of drugs being sold on multiple occasions.
The FBI agent testified that the trailer would be parked in the back of TLH, where three different types of marijuana were stored.
Prosecutors said the TLH had special packaging for the drugs and after being sold, Lynn Price would collect the proceeds but share some of them with Lee Price for delivery.
Firearms and violence
Prosecutors said firearms were seized at Lynn Price’s home on Monday following his arrest.
Constables reportedly found two shotguns, three rifles, a pistol, flame thrower, 960 rounds of various ammo, magazines, and one that had the TLH logo on it.
Prosecutors noted that one of the recovered firearms was stolen and others were registered to various people.
In documents filed with the court, Lynn Price reported to live with his mother but investigators said that he actually lived at his own leased home in Missouri City. They noted he lied to the court about not having firearms and claimed he hasn’t paid rent at any point.
Prosecutors said Lynn Price has violated court ordered protective orders at least four times and has allegedly committed various violence.
Other alleged offenses presented by prosecutors:
- October 2024: Girlfriend alleged Price pushed her at The Oyster Hut
- February 2024: 52-year-old man alleged Price choked and pushed him at Tipsy Lounge
- December 2022: Lyft driver alleged Price pointed a weapon at him near Turkey Leg Hut
- July 2021: Wife, Nakia Price, alleged he slapped her while she was pregnant
According to prosecutors, investigators at the Texas Department of Public Safety had an ongoing investigation of Lynn Price related to identity theft, stolen vehicles, and fraud related matters, at the time he was arrested on federal charges.
We learned in court that Lynn Price was evicted from his Missouri City home earlier this week.
Witnesses take stand for Lynn Price
Lynn Price’s mother and others offered their support for him. The judge also accepted a letter from former NBA player and coach Don Chaney in support of Price’s character.
One of the witnesses described Price as someone with “a huge heart,” adding, “He would give the shirt off his back if you needed it… he’s always looking to help people.”
The defense showed photos of Price helping after natural disasters.
READ: Turkey Leg Hut giving away 3,000 turkey legs
Egbuonu said that another witness would testify that Price “always went above and beyond,” noting their 20-year friendship through church.
Price’s mother, Shirley Price, assured the court she would ensure he attends all hearings, reports to pretrial services, and could live with her if released.
READ: Turkey Leg Hut surprises homeless by giving out free turkeys
Prosecutors closed with a sharp warning: “You’ve heard the expression, ‘where there’s smoke, there’s fire.’ In this case, where there’s fire, there’s fire,” said federal prosecutor Sebastian Edwards, noting that Lynn Price has a pattern of responding to his problems (he was arrested for arson in 2005 and received deferred adjudication). “For the Turkey Leg Hut owner, the turkeys have come home to roost!”
When the defense was asked by KPRC 2’s Bryce Newberry about the prosecutors statement, he said this is not a rush for judgement.
"I thought the chickens come home to roost," Egbuonu said. “But again, this is not a rush for judgment. We’re not going to litigate this case in the media. We’re looking for the court’s ruling. We’re look forward to the court ruling. And we’re looking forward to clearing Mr. Lindell Price’s name.”
The federal judge, who noted she never went to the once-popular restaurant, ended the hearing by saying there’s a lot to think about and she’s going to chew on it.
We’ll keep you updated on when the judge decides about keeping Lynn Price in custody.