FORT WORTH (CN) - The co-owner of an Arlington, Texas strip club that the city shut down was arrested and charged with trying to hire Mexican hitmen to kill two city officials, according to an FBI agent's affidavit and a federal criminal complaint.
Ryan Walker Grant, of Kennedale, is the co-owner of Flashdancer, a strip club that agreed to close for one year to settle a nuisance lawsuit filed by the Texas attorney general and the city, according to the FBI agent's affidavit.
The city is trying to revoke the club's sexually oriented business license and close it for good.
According to the FBI agent, on April 3 inside Grant's home in Kennedale, "Grant handed Individual A a piece of paper containing pictures and contact information of two individuals that Grant wanted killed. Grant identified the individuals, both associated with the City of Arlington and involved in the nuiscane action and revocation of Grant's SOB [sexually oriented business] license. Grant was angry at these individuals because he felt they were costing him money by attempting to stop Grant from re-opening his club, Flashdancer. In Grant's conversation with Individual A, Grant stated, 'They just jacked me for a year of business and they're trying to jack me indefinitely, when we had a deal, and they just reneged on it.' Grant also stated that he would lose $800,000 a year if he were prohibited from operating Flashdancer."
The affidavit continues: "Grant requested 'wetbacks' from Mexico to come to the Dallas area and murder the two intended victims. Grant offered to pay $10,000 per murder victim, for a total of $20,000. He agreed to pay upon completion of the murders. Grant advised Individual A, 'I just can't call up my dude and say go hit them, this is too high profile.' Grant was afraid he would get 'pinched' if his 'hitter' were caught. Grant wanted 'wetbacks' to handle the murders because they could goback to Mexico after the murders were completed."
The FBI agent says Grant and Individual A spoke again, on cellphones, on April 5 and 5.
On April 9, they met again at Grant's home, according to the affidavit.
"Grant confirmed that he wanted one of the two above-mentioned individuals killed. Individual A had informed Grant that individuals were awating Grant's confirmation to carry out the murders. Grant stated that he would use his child as an alibi. Grant also, during the meeting, directed Individual A to lift his shirt. Grant wanted to ensure that Individual A was not wearing a recording device."
The FBI agent closed by saying she felt there is probable cause to arrest Grant.
Grant in the custody of the U.S. Marshal in Fort Worth. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey L. Cureton.
Flashdancer is next to the city's popular, family-friendly entertainment district. It is within about 2 miles of Cowboys Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys; Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, the home of the Texas Rangers; the Six Flags Over Texas amusement park and the Six Flags Hurricane Harbor water park.
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