Found Deceased TX - Felicia Marie Johnson, 24, bloody cellphone found, Houston, 15 Apr 2022 *POI charged*

[GuyfromCanada]

Johnson, who lives in California, had traveled to Houston earlier this month to celebrate her birthday and to earn some extra money.

According to her family, Johnson, who was described as a model, had applied for a job as a dancer at the Cover Girls gentlemen’s club but was turned down.

Woman goes missing after leaving Houston strip club

 

[MimosaMornings]

Who was Felicia going to celebrate her birthday with? Her grandfather? Who else did she know that lived there?

Did she have a round trip ticket?

Plane fare, meals, hotel, Uber’s - she must have been expecting to make a good bit of money to offset the trip costs.

I’d definitely check out a club’s social media page ahead of time to get a feel for the place, dancers, clientele and entertainment atmosphere.
JMO

 

[MimosaMornings]

Former Houston dancer says strip clubs denied work because there were 'too many Black girls'

“Her suit targets the Davari brothers — Ali and Hassan — who own the string of clubs where Nicholson said she routinely experienced this practice: Centerfolds Houston, the Cover Girls, Splendor Gentlemens Club and Solid Platinum Cabaret.”

 

[jellybean96]

Im just starting to research this case. But how is it they know she went with a stranger because Uber was taking too long and they dont know what she was wearing? Selective memory?

 

[LauraAnne]

Former Houston dancer says strip clubs denied work because there were 'too many Black girls'

“Her suit targets the Davari brothers — Ali and Hassan — who own the string of clubs where Nicholson said she routinely experienced this practice: Centerfolds Houston, the Cover Girls, Splendor Gentlemens Club and Solid Platinum Cabaret.”

I'm not sure this is winnable. This is basically an "acting" job. When you hire actors and performers, you list what physical appearances you want them to have - and it seems unlikely a strip club would do well if they only have one standard appearance of performers. There needs to be a mix.

 

[citizen_sleuth]

I'm not sure this is winnable. This is basically an "acting" job. When you hire actors and performers, you list what physical appearances you want them to have - and it seems unlikely a strip club would do well if they only have one standard appearance of performers. There needs to be a mix.

I'm not so sure. In 2019, a strip club in Florida was ordered to pay $95,000 plus other relief to settle a race discrimination suit filed by the U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission after they were found to use racial slurs against black employees and forced black employees to work in the back of the club, among other allegations. Another club in Missouri was ordered to pay $3.3 million in a civil suit in 2019 after workers lodged similar allegations of racial discrimination against the club.

Unfortunately the reason racial discrimination is still prevalent in strip clubs is because sex work is still seen as an illicit enterprise in the U.S., so the protections sex workers have under an employer-employee relationship are often unclear or misunderstood, resulting in a lot of discrimination that wouldn't fly elsewhere continuing apace. MOO.

 

[LauraAnne]

I'm not so sure. In 2019, a strip club in Florida was ordered to pay $95,000 plus other relief to settle a race discrimination suit filed by the U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission after they were found to use racial slurs against black employees and forced black employees to work in the back of the club, among other allegations. Another club in Missouri was ordered to pay $3.3 million in a civil suit in 2019 after workers lodged similar allegations of racial discrimination against the club.

Unfortunately the reason racial discrimination is still prevalent in strip clubs is because sex work is still seen as an illicit enterprise in the U.S., so the protections sex workers have under an employer-employee relationship are often unclear or misunderstood, resulting in a lot of discrimination that wouldn't fly elsewhere continuing apace. MOO.

I can certainly see how mistreatment of employees through use of racial slurs and making them work only in the back of the club is offensive and discriminatory. But places like Hooters have been able to uphold their standards of appearance, in hiring decisions because that's their model. I'm not a strip club expert, but I'm guessing they like to have a variety of body types/cultures on each shift to provide men what they're looking for. Which is their money making strategy.

 

[citizen_sleuth]

I can certainly see how mistreatment of employees through use of racial slurs and making them work only in the back of the club is offensive and discriminatory. But places like Hooters have been able to uphold their standards of appearance, in hiring decisions because that's their model. I'm not a strip club expert, but I'm guessing they like to have a variety of body types/cultures on each shift to provide men what they're looking for. Which is their money making strategy.

Even in a strip club, it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of race.

In the case in Mississippi I referenced earlier, the primary accusation against the club was that the club limited when black women could work (on the basis of ‘customer preference’) and the EEOC still won a $3.3 million judgement against them. Federal anti-discrimination law applies to all industries and businesses, even those where physical appearance is the main focus of hiring/employment decisions. It’s unfortunately a prevalent misconception that places like strip clubs can discriminate based on race because of customer preference. Body type is a different issue as that is not a currently protected class under federal law, so for example if Hooters denies someone based on their weight, it is legal. But if Hooters were to deny someone employment based on race, they would be breaking federal law.

 

[sraybella]

Even in a strip club, it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of race.

In the case in Mississippi I referenced earlier, the primary accusation against the club was that the club limited when black women could work (on the basis of ‘customer preference’) and the EEOC still won a $3.3 million judgement against them. Federal anti-discrimination law applies to all industries and businesses, even those where physical appearance is the main focus of hiring/employment decisions. It’s unfortunately a prevalent misconception that places like strip clubs can discriminate based on race because of customer preference. Body type is a different issue as that is not a currently protected class under federal law, so for example if Hooters denies someone based on their weight, it is legal. But if Hooters were to deny someone employment based on race, they would be breaking federal law.

Yes, it is illegal to discriminate against someone based on race. Regardless of industry. Strip clubs are still required to follow federal regulations which prohibited racial discrimination.

 

[CocoChanel]

ADMIN NOTE

When posts are removed or modsnipped, it is because the post violates the Terms of Service we all agreed to when we joined Websleuths. Our owner has set intentionally high standards for what may be posted here. There are many other forums where there are few rules and anyone can post anything. Websleuths IS NOT one of those.

If your post has been removed or modsnipped, notifications MAY be sent with the reason, but that is not required according to our rules. Our moderators do their best to manage thousands of posts a day in hundreds of threads, and we may not always be able to send a reason. Suffice it to say we only remove posts that violate the TOS. Promoting one’s own YouTube channel and discussing moderators actions are 2 violations that have recently resulted in removed posts in this thread.
Quoting and responding to a post that was removed will result in your post being removed as well.

Websleuths advocates for victims and their friends and families. For this reason, Websleuths only allows links to info from MSM and LE. Social media pages of MSM outlets and LE are approved, as are those of the missing person. Family FB pages ARE NOT permitted. Websites and podcasts and YouTube channels are not allowed unless there has been PREVIOUS approval from Websleuths before posting.

Violating the above rules and ANY of those in the complete list HERE may result in temporary or permanent loss of posting privileges.

 

[StrawberryFields]

Im just starting to research this case. But how is it they know she went with a stranger because Uber was taking too long and they dont know what she was wearing? Selective memory?

This is exactly my question. You do not know the details of her leaving with a male patron without seeing said male patron. I am one of those people that have a really difficult time recognizing faces and describing someone’s appearance after the fact unless something about them really stands out, so I can maybe understand not being able to offer up a good description… however that place has a ton of security cameras and the witness should at least be able to identify them on video. I’m curious what degree of cooperation LE is receiving from the club. I think sometimes in those environments, there can be an inherent mistrust of the authorities, which would really be a shame if applicable here for Felicia and her family. All MOO.

 

[sraybella]

News Report from local news tonight.


Video at link has a few more details. The reporter says that the club attorney said that they have or are providing surveillance video to police but not Quannel X - summarized.
Missing in Houston, TX: Felicia Johnson, 24, last seen April 15 | khou.com

 

[jellybean96]

News Report from local news tonight.


Video at link has a few more details. The reporter says that the club attorney said that they have or are providing surveillance video to police but not Quannel X - summarized.
Missing in Houston, TX: Felicia Johnson, 24, last seen April 15 | khou.com

I can see where they would be hesitant to give footage to a news channel and risk the case or show other patrons that may want their identity private. THAT SAID...has LE actually confirmed they have turned the videos over? Its been right at two weeks. LE should have that footage by now.

 

[CocoChanel]

I can see where they would be hesitant to give footage to a news channel and risk the case or show other patrons that may want their identity private. THAT SAID...has LE actually confirmed they have turned the videos over? Its been right at two weeks. LE should have that footage by now.

My thought is that LE would have nothing to gain in their investigation by publicly confirming to us that they have video. And, as noted above, it is probably an effort to preserve the privacy of other patrons who were there that night. I don’t think they will be telling us or showing us they have video from the club, but I think we can assume they absolutely do.

 

[sraybella]

My thought is that LE would have nothing to gain in their investigation by publicly confirming to us that they have video. And, as noted above, it is probably an effort to preserve the privacy of other patrons who were there that night. I don’t think they will be telling us or showing us they have video from the club, but I think we can assume they absolutely do.

I agree with this…I think if they did NOT have video, they would be asking the public to come forward with any videos they might have.

 

[JKM]

I was a stripper in Houston I know the industry and as a full service sex worker (I’ll never say “former” for a variety of reasons) you could almost consider me an expert on the topic.

Houston strip clubs are racist as hell, the “decent” ones unless you want to work at some shady all nude. Looking at pictures of Felicia she was very pretty and most likely could have been successful touring at many nice clubs throughout the US. That’s just my opinion.

In my professional opinion as a sex worker, her twitter did not show any posts showing she was “touring” for full service sex work, since she has a twitter that would be the place for that and it isn’t there. There is a link to OnlyFans, but I know they have to be very careful about setting up meetings.

In my opinion, an attractive woman was turned away from a strip club because of racist bs, I’d have to double check if she would even need an SOB license (sexually oriented business license) to work at that location.

The club should have security cameras outside, they should be able to show which direction she left in and if she got into a vehicle there since she was supposedly waiting for an Uber.

 

[sraybella]

Thanks JKM. It’s nice to have your input and perspective.

I personally believe that if she actually arrived and/or left the strip club, she would have been caught on surveillance somehow/ somewhere.

But then again, there seems to be an issue in Houston with clubs such as this keeping cameras, surveillance videos and turning them over timely to police.

I have a feeling there is a lot of info that LE are keeping close to their best.

ETA: Just last week city council voted on an ordinance that would require the clubs, sexually oriented businesses and other “nighttime” businesses to operate surveillance cameras outside their buildings and turn footage over to the Houston Police Department upon request within 72 hours.

ACLU says Mayor Turner's security camera requirement for bars and nightclubs is 'unconstitutional'

Oh, and looks like a license / permit is required.
Sexually Oriented Business, Entertainers & Managers Permit | Houston Permitting Center

 

[sraybella]

Has anyone seen this article from 2 days ago? Not sure if it’s bad reporting or new info but it says she was last seen wearing a silver dress.

This is the first I’ve seen if that information!

<snipped and BBM>
After being turned away, an unidentified man at Cover GIrls offered her a ride. Felicia has not been seen or heard from since. She was last seen wearing a silver dress. Felicia's family got worried when they didn't hear from Felicia on Friday night. <snip>

The woman who went missing after leaving a Houston strip club may be a victim of sex trafficking | Jenifer Knighton | NewsBreak Original

 

[sraybella]

It looks like there is an exemption for Cover Girls, making it a non sexually oriented business, based on a 2013 settlement with the city, in exchange for annual donations.

So scratch that.. she didn’t need a license or permit.

Strange bedfellows: City of Houston partners with strip clubs to combat human trafficking

 

[mlhenn]

Vigil held for missing woman last seen at Houston nightclub | khou.com

On Sunday night, they held a vigil where her bloody phone was found at Bear Creek Park.

Johnson's family members and community activists believe foul play is involved in her disappearance.


As they continue to pray for Felicia, her father ended the vigil with a message to the daughter he said is a very sweet person with a kind heart.

“I’m not going nowhere. I’m here. Daddy's here,” he said.

Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information that helps them in the case. If you know anything, you're asked to call 713-222-TIPS (8477).