At one point, the Turkey Leg Hut was one of Houston’s most recognizable dining destinations.
What started as a pop-up across from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in 2015 turned into a full-blown cultural landmark when co-founders Nakia Holmes and her then-husband Lyndell “Lynn” Price opened their brick-and-mortar location on Almeda Road two years later.
The food itself was attention-grabbing—massive turkey legs glazed in liquor or stuffed with seafood pasta—but the real draw was the atmosphere.
The restaurant became a regular stop for celebrities. NBA star Russell Westbrook and NFL star Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson regularly pulled up for meals. Kevin Hart and Megan Thee Stallion made appearances. Snoop Dogg famously posted a dedicated shout-out to the restaurant on Instagram, and 50 Cent was spotted enjoying the food as well.
The Turkey Leg Hut was promoted as a see-and-be-seen hotspot, where locals lined up alongside famous visitors for the chance to dig into one of the oversized, Instagram-friendly plates.
Despite its fame, the restaurant always carried a reputation for drama, according to Vibe. Neighbors filed lawsuits over smoke and noise. Critics slammed the dress code that was implemented in 2021, saying the policy discriminated against Black diners while the establishment still pushed a nightclub-style vibe with hookah and drinks. Former business partners accused Holmes and Price of financial misconduct. Vendors alleged unpaid debts that eventually stacked up into lawsuits.
And in September 2024, after years of complaints and legal battles, Houston’s Health Department issued 35 violations against the restaurant, leading to a shutdown that was never reversed. Turkey Leg Hut officially filed for bankruptcy, and its once-booming brand fell silent.
That history sets the stage for the latest development: Holmes herself is now facing criminal charges.
According to Fox 26 and Chron, on Wednesday, October 14, she was arrested in Harris County and charged with hindering apprehension, a felony offense that alleges she helped a wanted man avoid capture.
Court records name the man as 36-year-old Johnathan Saizon, who is accused of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault.
Authorities allege that Saizon attacked his ex-girlfriend earlier this month, beating her with his fists and a tire iron before holding her against her will for six hours.
Charging documents claim he forced her into his car under the pretense of picking up personal belongings, then repeatedly assaulted her during the ordeal. He allegedly released her only after driving her to a Houston hospital, where she sought treatment. Saizon was already out on bond for previous charges when the incident occurred.
Investigators tracked Saizon to Holmes’ home in Cypress, Texas. According to the arrest affidavit, officers saw him at the end of her driveway before he was spotted jumping a fence on her property.
When Holmes was stopped by police nearby, she allegedly denied knowing him or allowing him inside. Records state she insisted no one else was in her home, even after being told officers had seen Saizon there.
Later, her story reportedly changed, with Holmes admitting she had picked up Saizon’s mother and that Saizon had asked her to look outside after spotting what he thought was a police car.
Holmes was taken into custody and booked on the hindering charge. As of Thursday, no lawyer was listed for her in court records. She is due back in court on Friday, October 17.
The arrest adds another layer to the ongoing saga of Turkey Leg Hut, which has struggled with controversy even after closing its doors.
Earlier this year, Holmes’ ex-husband and co-founder, Lyndell Price, was charged in a separate federal case tied to the 2020 explosion at Houston’s Bar 5015, a business owned by one of his former partners. Federal prosecutors allege Price conspired with others to set the fire, which caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages.