HOUSTON – One of the suspects accused of setting a Houston bar on fire in 2020 has pleaded guilty in connection with the crime.
Miziah Brice Shepherd has pleaded guilty to a federal charge of conspiracy to commit arson in connection with the fire and explosion at Bar 5015 on June 12, 2020.
Shepherd faces between five and 20 years in prison. His sentencing has been scheduled for Feb. 20, 2026.
Shepherd is one of five suspects in the case.
Court documents allege that the former co-owner of the Turkey Leg Hut, Lyndell “Lynn” Price, Miziah Brice Shepherd, Armani Williams, John Lee Price, and Javon Harris conspired to set fire to Bar 5015 in June 2020.
A jury trial for the other suspects in this case has been scheduled for March 2026.
What happened
On June 12, 2020, Lynn Price had allegedly recruited a group that included Williams, John Price, Shepherd, and Javon Harris.
The charges allege Williams, John Price, and others were involved in pouring gasoline at the entrance ramp before igniting a fire at Bar 5015 on June 12, 2020.
Lynn Price and his co-conspirator agreed to provide payment to the crew tasked with starting the fire, according to the indictment.
Early that morning, Williams and an unnamed co-conspirator purchased gasoline, gas cans, and face coverings at a truck stop in Houston.
Williams then drove to and parked near the bar in a black Ford Fusion, according to the indictment. They entered the deck area and poured gasoline across the deck and down the entrance ramp.
Then, at 4:44 a.m., Williams and the unnamed co-conspirator lit a piece of paper and ignited the trail of gasoline. By 4:47 a.m., Lynn Price received a phone call to let him know the arson was complete.
Lynn Price and the others are charged with conspiracy to commit arson and arson and face up to 20 years in federal prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Some buildings and homes near the scene sustained damage as well.
On June 18, 2020, surveillance video was released to the public showing four men walking into Bar 5015 with five-gallon containers of ignitable fluid and pouring the fluid throughout the property.
One of the men caused the explosion after pushing a trailer on fire down a ramp where fumes had accumulated, causing the deck to explode.