HOUSTON – A federal judge has ordered former Turkey Leg Hut co-owner Lyndell “Lynn” Price to remain behind bars pending his trial.
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Price, 42, is facing three federal charges for allegedly masterminding the arson that rocked the Museum District on an early June 2020 morning.
Following a detention hearing last week to decide whether Price would get out of custody pending trial, the court determined that detention is necessary.
TIMELINE: The legal saga and controversies of Turkey Leg Hut in Houston
According to court records, .
In new court documents made public Monday, U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Dena Palermo found the following as it relates to Price:
- The indictment and “the overwhelming evidence” establishes that he committed the offenses.
- He has a prior criminal history, including participating in criminal activity while on probation, parole, or supervision, and a history of violence or weapons use.
- Price is considered a flight risk because of his significant assets and financial means.
- The arson he’s accused of “appears to have been as revenge for his business partner’s refusal to allow him to participate in this new venture.”
- Weapons were found in Price’s home after his arrest; as a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms.
- The alleged crimes were committed while Price was on supervised release after serving federal prison time for income tax fraud.
KPRC 2 News has reached out to Price’s defense attorney for a response to the judge’s decision.
The three-count indictment, filed April 8 in the Southern District of Texas, alleges Lynn Price and others conspired to set fire to Bar 5015 in June 2020.
READ: Former owner of Turkey Leg Hut arrested after federal grand jury indictment for 2020 bar explosion
The charges allege the owner of Bar 5015 was a former co-owner of the Turkey Leg Hut and Lynn Price’s business partner.
Lynn Price has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty during his arraignment.
Armani Williams, 27, and John Lee Price, 39, both of Houston, were also arrested and charged in connection with the explosion.