The judge presiding over a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Crystal Rogers‘ family against Brooks Houck ordered he not sell any real property owned by him or his businesses, court records show.
Judge Charles Simms III, who also oversaw the criminal trial that led to Houck’s conviction earlier in July, issued a temporary injunction July 25 blocking Houck from transferring any real property prior to an evidentiary hearing set for Oct. 8 to discuss the matter. The order was filed in a response to previous filings that accused Houck of speaking with family members about liquidating his assets to “shield them from any judgment that may be awarded” in the civil case.
Jail call transcripts included in a memorandum filed July 18 detail conversations Houck had with his brother, mother, sister and significant other about selling property after a jury found him guilty of murder as a principal or accomplice and complicity to tampering with physical evidence in the death of Rogers. Houck was dating Rogers at the time of her disappearance in July 2015.
Sherry Ballard, Rogers’ mother and the administrator of her estate, and Rogers’ four adult children filed the lawsuit in December 2023, seeking damages from Houck for losses Rogers and her children suffered as a result of her death.
In one call with his sister, Rhonda McIlvoy, Houck explicitly mentions the “cause of action,” court records show.
“You know, because we’re on that civil case is what’s coming next. Do you understand? … You know, so they’re going to take everything. They’re going to take everything that I’ve got. So go ahead and try to get what you can for it,” Houck said, according to the memorandum.
Houck controls three businesses that own more than 80 properties with tax assessments totaling roughly $8.5 million, according to court records.
Gregory E. H. Smith, an attorney for Rogers’ family, argued in court filings that Houck selling off his property would result in irreparable harm.
“Plaintiffs believe the assets that are currently being shielded and liquidated are their only source of satisfaction of any judgment eventually entered,” he wrote. “In multiple phone calls to family members in his first contact with them following the conviction, [Houck] gives directions on how to begin selling and transferring assets. He specifically mentions this suit on multiple occasions.”
Order follows criminal conviction
The temporary injunction was warranted in part because Houck’s criminal conviction makes the jury more likely to find Houck liable under the lower standard of proof required in civil cases, Smith said in court filings. The more important question at a civil trial, he argued, will be how much to award the family.
Rogers’ family is concerned “there will not be sufficient assets available to satisfy a future damage award” by the time the case is concluded, Smith added.
Houck was convicted July 8, with the jury recommending he serve a life prison sentence, plus an additional five years for the complicity to tampering with physical evidence charge. Simms is set to hand down the final sentence Aug. 21.
Houck stood trial alongside Joseph Lawson, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence. The jury recommended he serve 25 years in prison, and he is also set to be sentenced Aug. 21.
A jury also found Lawson’s father, Steven Lawson, guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence in a separate trial related to the investigation in May. The jury recommended he spend 17 years in prison, and his final sentencing is set for Aug. 6.
Contact reporter Killian Baarlaer at kbaarlaer@gannett.com or @bkillian72 on X.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Crystal Rogers wrongful death suit: Houck blocked from property sale