Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Mark announced that a Houston businessman pleaded guilty to conspiring to set a commercial building on fire.
Lyndell Leroy Price, 42, admitted he directed others to intentionally set fire to 5015 Bar, a Houston bar owned by his former partner on Almeda Road in Houston. Shortly before the fire, court records show the bar owner rejected Price’s offer to buy the bar and refused to sell his interest in the Turkey Leg Hut, which he co-owned with Price.
In the early morning hours of June 12, 2020, the conspirators purchased gasoline and gas cans and then traveled to the area near the business. Wearing masks and carrying containers filled with gasoline, they walked to Bar 5015, poured gasoline on the entrance ramp and deck, lit it on fire and fled.
Fires cause significant damage to businesses and endanger nearby occupied homes, commercial properties and power grids.
After the arson, a member of the conspiracy reported to Price that the mission was accomplished. The conspirators are then paid for their roles in the crime.
U.S. District Judge Lake accepted the plea and set sentencing on September 25. At that time, Price will face up to 20 years in federal prison and may face a fine of up to $250,000.
Armani Williams and Miziah Shepherd, 27, both of Houston, had previously pleaded guilty to the same charges and will be sentenced on the same day.
Price, Williams and Shepherd have been and will remain in custody pending sentencing hearings.
FBI – Houston; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Houston Fire Department Arson Bureau conducted the investigation with assistance from the Houston Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (District 4). Assistant United States Attorneys Sebastian A. Edwards and Keri Fuller are prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas
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