A Houston-area restaurant owner has been federally indicted in connection with a 2020 explosion that severely damaged a bar owned by his former business partner, federal authorities announced Friday.
Lyndell Price, 42, a well-known figure in Houston’s dining scene and the former co-owner of the Turkey Leg Hut, was charged alongside Armani Williams, 27, and John Lee Price, 39. The three men face charges of conspiracy to commit arson and arson, federal prosecutors said. Additionally, Lyndell Price and John Price face an extra charge of conspiracy to use an interstate facility to commit arson related to a separate vehicle fire.
If convicted, the defendants could face up to 25 years in federal prison for the arson charges and an additional five years for the interstate facility charge.
Details of the Allegations
According to an indictment unsealed in Houston federal court, Lyndell Price is accused of orchestrating an arson attack on Bar 5015, a popular local establishment that was co-owned by his former business associate, who also previously co-owned Turkey Leg Hut with him.
Prosecutors allege that Price recruited Williams, John Price, and other unnamed individuals to carry out the attack. Charging documents reveal that, in the early hours of June 12, 2020, Williams and an unnamed accomplice purchased gasoline, gas cans, and face coverings from a Houston truck stop. They allegedly traveled to Bar 5015, where they poured gasoline across the deck and entrance ramp before igniting the fuel with a piece of paper.
Shortly after the fire was set, an explosion tore through the bar, scattering debris and igniting multiple smaller fires across the property, according to investigators. Following the blaze, Williams reportedly called Lyndell Price to confirm that the “arson was complete,” the indictment states.
Separate Vehicle Arson
The same federal case also accuses Lyndell Price of masterminding the destruction of a stolen 1975 Chevrolet Nova. Investigators claim that Price paid John Price and others to set fire to the vehicle, which had been taken from an auto repair shop.
Legal Proceedings and Reactions
All three defendants appeared in court on Friday, where they heard the charges against them. They were later released pending future court dates.
Letitia Quinones-Hollins, who is representing John Price, addressed the charges in remarks to KPRC, a local Houston news outlet. “This is a classic example of being very mindful of the company you keep,” Quinones-Hollins said. She emphasized that although Lyndell Price and John Price share a surname, they are not related.
Quinones-Hollins declined further comment when contacted by USA TODAY.
As of Friday evening, USA TODAY reported that none of the defendants appeared to have publicly named additional legal counsel, and efforts to reach attorneys for Lyndell Price and Armani Williams were unsuccessful.
Why It Matters
The charges against Lyndell Price strike a dramatic note in Houston’s restaurant community, where he had earned prominence through ventures like the Turkey Leg Hut and, more recently, the Oyster Hut. The case also underscores federal authorities’ focus on combating violent property crimes, especially when motivated by alleged personal or financial disputes.
If convicted, the case could serve as a cautionary tale about the lengths to which business rivalries can escalate, with life-altering consequences.
The next court dates for all three defendants have not yet been announced.
