United Airlines Pilot Arrested, Accused of Running Houston Brothels

Bruce Wayne Wallis, a pilot for United Airlines, has been taken into custody by Texas police on for charges of running and operating a collection of brothels in apartment complexes throughout the Houston area, including aggravated promotion of prostitution and engaging in organized criminal activity. Houston law enforcement reports that Wallis was in charge of “about a half-dozen brothel apartments” populated by six to 10 women per apartment. Assistant Harris County District Attorney Lester Blizzard described the alleged brothel network as “massive.”

According to The Houston Chronicle, “Court records show that investigators believe the women advertised online and paid Wallis $400 a week to ply their trade. He’s also accused of recruiting five women at a time and having sex with them before putting them to work as prostitutes. Several of the women appeared to be Russian.”

“It’s the largest operation that I’ve ever worked on,” said Blizzard to the Chronicle after the district attorney’s office and the Texas Department of Public Safety began investigating the case in July of last year. On Wednesday, authorities searched 17 locations and 12 individuals were arrested on charges ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. Tracie Tanner, 36, of Houston, is facing charges of aggravated promotion of prostitution and is allegedly Wallis’ top lieutenant.

Eastex Aero, Wallis’ flight school and charter service located in Porter, Tex., allegedly served to legitimize the women’s employment records and financial statements, according to court records.

During a phone conversation with Today in the Sky, United Airlines spokesman Charles Hobart said: “We hold our employees to the highest standards.” Wallis has reportedly been removed from his position as a pilot, but remains employed at the company as United “[assists] authorities in this investigation.”

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[Photo: Houston Police Department]