Ex-United pilot admits running Texas brothels, probation expected

Bruce Wayne Wallis, the 51-year-old United Airlines pilot arrested and charged with running a Houston prostitution ring, leaves the Harris County Courthouse after appearing in court on Monday, March 28, 2016, in Houston. Wallis has been charged with aggravated promotion of prostitution and engaging in organized criminal activity for allegedly running brothels out of six separate Houston apartment complexes. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) less Bruce Wayne Wallis, the 51-year-old United Airlines pilot arrested and charged with running a Houston prostitution ring, leaves the Harris County Courthouse after appearing in court on Monday, March 28, 2016, ... more Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff Buy photo Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Ex-United pilot admits running Texas brothels, probation expected 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

A former United Airlines pilot accused of running a string of brothels in apartment complexes and office buildings throughout Houston is expected to be sentenced Thursday to probation.

Bruce Wayne Wallis, 53, was charged in 2015 with aggravated promotion of prostitution and engaging in criminal activity.

Officials said the illicit empire included about a half-dozen brothels in Galleria-area apartments and northwest Houston office buildings with six to 10 women.

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Wallis is expected to go before state District Judge Jim Wallace Thursday who will assess punishment.

Assistant Harris County District Attorney Lester Blizzard said the judge has indicated that he will sentence Wallis to a form of probation.

"The judge did a thorough review and determined that probation was appropriate in this case," Blizzard said. "I asked for penitentiary time."

Wallis agreed to plead guilty in exchange for the judge to assess punishment after a pre-sentencing investigation in which both sides could file letters of support.

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Blizzard said he wanted prison time and agreed to a seven-year cap on jail time in exchange for a guilty plea.

He said the judge is mulling whether Wallis will keep his pilot's license or not. Although Wallis no longer works for United Airlines, he does operate a flight school. The judge will also have to decide whether Wallis will be convicted with a probated prison sentence or deferred adjudication, which is form of probation that would allow Wallis to escape a felony conviction.

Court records show that investigators believe the women advertised online and paid Wallis $400 a week as a pimp. He was also accused in court records of recruiting five women at time and having sex with them before putting them to work as prostitutes. Several of the women appeared to be Russian.

If convicted in a jury trial, Wallis could have faced a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. He is expected to appear in court to be sentenced Thursday morning.