HOUSTON – A warrant that was executed on March 23, focused on a suite inside a Houston business building in which a former United Airlines pilot, Bruce Wallis, allegedly ran a brothel.
According to the warrant, there was a drop box for women to leave their so-called "rent money." Clients would get massages inside the suite, police said.
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Pricing for services started at $100 for a half-hour and went up depending on the client’s request.
Wallis' attorney told Channel 2 in March that this case is not as serious as it's being portrayed to be.
"This may be the newest prosecution of the world's oldest profession but it is hardly the case of the century the state makes it out to be. The older I get, the more important I think it is to under-promise and over-deliver and that's what I intend to do in this case," attorney Dan Cogdell said.
The Harris County assistant district attorney called it the largest operation of this type he's ever seen.
Wallis and alleged accomplice Tracie Tanner allegedly ran a half-dozen brothels, with about six to 10 women. Each woman paid Wallis $400 a week.
Eighteen other women were charged with prostitution.
Tanner's attorney said she is terrified in this situation.
"She's in a very scary place right now. And I'm here to protect her and I will not let this man or anyone else hurt her again," Tanner's attorney, Mark Metzger, said.
Harris County Assistant District Attorney Lester Blizzard said this crackdown sends a clear message to the bad guys.
"Our elected officials (are) taking out the entire criminal organization and not being satisfied with just the low-hanging fruit," Blizzard said.
Tanner faces a charge of aggravated promotion of prostitution.
Wallis is charged with aggravated promotion of prostitution.
If convicted, Wallis faces up to 20 years in prison.