Executive Summary
- Lynn Price, co-founder of the defunct Turkey Leg Hut, faces three new federal felony charges, including gun possession and drug trafficking.
- These new accusations via a superseding indictment are in addition to existing federal charges for conspiracy to commit arson.
- Prosecutors allege Price possessed firearms while trafficking marijuana between 2019 and 2022, with one weapon reportedly having a flamethrower attachment.
- Price remains in federal custody, and his trial is likely to be delayed as a result of the expanded legal proceedings.
- Separately, Price’s ex-wife, Nakia Holmes, faces charges for hindering the apprehension of a known felon in an unrelated case.
Lynn Price, co-founder of the now-defunct Houston restaurant Turkey Leg Hut, faces three new felony charges, including possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and two counts of felon in possession of a firearm. These accusations come via a superseding indictment from a federal grand jury on Wednesday, adding to existing charges of conspiracy to commit arson for which Price is already awaiting trial.
The new charges allege that Price possessed firearms while actively involved in marijuana trafficking between 2019 and 2022. Court documents reviewed by local news station KPRC 2 indicate Price allegedly acquired a DP-12 shotgun and a 12-gauge shotgun, with one reportedly equipped with a flamethrower attachment.
Federal law imposes enhanced penalties for the combination of drug trafficking and illegal firearm possession, underscoring the severity of these new allegations. The period in question overlaps with the Turkey Leg Hut’s peak popularity, a time when it was a celebrity dining destination in Houston.
Price was initially charged in April with conspiracy to commit arson of a commercial building and conspiracy to use an interstate facility to commit arson of a vehicle. These charges stem from allegations that he hired individuals in June 2020 to set fire to Bar 5015, a rival establishment owned by a former business partner. An earlier incident in April 2020 involved the alleged arson of a stolen 1975 Chevy, purportedly a test run or warning.
Price has pleaded not guilty to the original arson conspiracy charges and remains in custody. His trial, initially scheduled for this month, may be delayed due to the complexities introduced by the superseding indictment and the new allegations. The judge’s decision to keep Price detained suggests concerns about flight risk or danger to the community, given the serious nature of the charges.
Separately, Price’s ex-wife, Nakia Holmes, faces her own charges in an unrelated case. She was indicted for hindering the apprehension of a known felon, Johnathan Saizon, who was wanted for aggravated kidnapping and assault. Holmes allegedly denied knowing Saizon or his presence in her home during a traffic stop, but deputies subsequently found him attempting to escape her Cypress residence.
Holmes’ attorney is seeking to reduce her felony charge to a misdemeanor, arguing she was unaware of Saizon’s outstanding felony warrants. The defense maintains confidence that Holmes will be exonerated. Her bond was set at $10,000.
The Turkey Leg Hut, once a popular Houston eatery, ceased operations amid Price’s escalating legal challenges. The restaurant’s closure highlights the significant impact that criminal charges against an owner can have on a business and its employees.
The pursuit of these charges by federal prosecutors underscores the perceived seriousness of the allegations and the extensive investigation involved. If convicted on all counts, Price could face decades in federal prison. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
