Houston recording studio owner surrenders on trafficking charges

Otis "Big Face Tulu" Berry surrendered to authorities Wednesday on sex trafficking charges, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. He and his brother are accused of forcing teenage girls to have sex in exchange for food and shelter. less Otis "Big Face Tulu" Berry surrendered to authorities Wednesday on sex trafficking charges, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. He and his brother are accused of forcing teenage girls to have sex ... more Photo: Mug Photo: Mug Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Houston recording studio owner surrenders on trafficking charges 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

A Houston man wanted for allegedly forcing teenage girls to have sex in exchange for food and shelter has been arrested, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday.

Otis “Big Face Tulu” Berry turned himself in on charges including sexual assault of a child, trafficking of a child and compelling prostitution. Activist Quanell X facilitated his surrender, the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies initially spoke to one of the victims, identified as a 16-year-old runaway, in June 2019 at a Walmart, according to court records. Court documents say Berry and his brother, Tyrone Berry, forced the girls to have sex. Tyrone Berry is facing similar charges in the case.

Records say Otis Berry owned a recording studio where the girls stayed for four nights. Deputies said he rarely gave them food or water. He did, however, give them drugs described as “X-Os,” or weed and alcohol, court records say.

The victims said they were forced to have sex with Otis Berry and his customers who went to the studio to buy drugs. Tyrone Berry also took the girls to his family’s house and forced them to have sex with his family members, records say.

The girls said they didn’t leave the studio because the brothers threatened them. Tyrone Berry eventually dropped the victims off at a Walmart because they were “complaining too much,” records say.

julian.gill@chron.com