United Airlines Pilot Arrested for Allegedly Managing 6 Brothels

A United Airlines pilot is facing prostitution-related charges after it was reported that he allegedly ran several Houston-area brothels.

Bruce Wayne Wallis, 51, and Tracie Rebekah Tanner, 37, were arrested on Wednesday when an investigation that concluded with a series of raids at alleged brothels in Houston, Texas, implicated that the two of them had been involved in running the brothels, according to Business Insider. Authorities allege that some of the women who reportedly worked for Wallis at the brothels are Russian and may have been recruited by the pilot as he flew internationally.

Wallis was charged with aggravated promotion of prostitution and engaging in organized criminal activity, whereas Tanner was charged with aggravated promotion of prostitution.

Twelve people were reportedly arrested during 17 raids that spanned across Houston, according to KPRC-TV. The authorities allege that Wallis managed and controlled over 20 different female prostitutes for at least six brothels, saying that the pilot raked in $400 a week per each woman.

"It's one of the largest operations I've ever worked on," said Assistant Harris County District Attorney Lester Blizzard, according to the Houston Chronicle.

United Airlines released a statement following Wallis' arrest in which the company stated that "United holds its employees to the highest standard" and intends to fully cooperate with law enforcement and further investigation as it removes Wallis from his duties at United Airlines, according to Business Insider.

"He was a good ole Texas boy" said neighbor Bob Williams, who told WUSA9 that he was surprised at Wallis' arrest. "As far as I know, he was a real nice guy."

Wallis reportedly was released Thursday on a $5,000 bail, although he is due back in court next week, the Business Insider reported.

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